People tell me they love my curls
They're messy, frizzy, and spirited
Never tame or smooth
They remind me of myself in that way

It's funny though
How people love my curls
Until we have a dance
Or a concert

And then
The straightening requests begin

They always do

Almost as if
My hair isn't fit for a fancy event

No matter how much gel I use
My curls don't cooperate
The same way others' do

Does that mean they shouldn't be seen?
Should my curls be crushed with heat?

The older I get
The more it's starting to seem that way