Momma washed my hair this morning
and Buddy’s too, each of us taking
a turn in the bathwater out behind the house.
Told me to put on my Sunday dress
even though it ain’t Sunday.
She said we’re having a visitor.
And I said Who?
And she said Mr. Evans,
he wants to take our picture.
You mean like the people in the picture show?
But Momma was too busy fussin’
in the kitchen to answer.
So I spend the morning holding my hands
just so, just like Claudette Colbert
practicing my smile.
I try to show Buddy how to act
like a movie star but he won’t stop
running around and take this seriously.
So I give up.
When Mr. Evans comes
he’s got this big camera.
He asks me what I’ve had
for breakfast. I look
around at the dirt yard.
I remember
I am just Norma Mae
This is my only good dress.