To the girl with the braids

Who are you?
Braids twisted down your back
like a crazed nautilus.

Are you leaving?
But I still see your face
along with the rearward braids.

Going?

Coming?

And what is that cupped in your hands?

Inspired by a simple painting in black and white that until very recently I thought was of a girl from behind, until I realised that I could see her face in more than profile.