Review Of Larry Bradley's Poem 'Barber'

Poetry Pairing 3 - “Barber”

The New York Times Poetry Pairing “Barber” explores the complex relationship between hairstylist and client. Larry Bradley’s poem “Barber” focuses on the impact that a seemingly ordinary person, such as a barber, can have on a person. The excerpt of Hillary Howard’s article “Trust Issues in Finding a New Hair Stylist” concentrates on the author’s own relationship with her longtime hairstylist and the difficulty of finding a new hairstylist. In his poem “Barber,” Larry Bradley uses point of view and nostalgic imagery to create a melancholy tone. He uses the third person omniscient point of view to explore the backstory of the barber and the ways he connects with his clients. Bradley uses nostalgic imagery when
Howard writes “My mother used to share a bottle of wine with Yvonne ... during her monthly hair appointments…,” as a way to relate to her audience, who may have had similar experiences in their childhoods. Howard then writes about her own stylist and explains that she trusted her hairstylist and they used their time together to talk about the hardships in their lives. She and Veronica, her stylist, have been through weddings, divorces, the births of children, and many other life changing events. When Veronica announced that she was moving, Howard felt abandoned and sunsure that she would ever trust another in the same way that she trusted Veronica. Howard went to Veronica to change her hair, almost as a coping method, when there were big changes happening in her life, without Veronica, Howard felt that she wouldn’t be able to talk through the things going on in her life in the same way. Each piece in the New York Times Poetry Pairing “Barber” shows a different perspective on the relationship between hairstylist and client. Larry Bradley’s “Barber” displays more of the barber’s life and view of his clients. On the other hand, Hilary Howard’s “Trust Issues in Finding a New Hair Stylist” gives the perspective of someone