I know, I should throw it away ... at the very least, not wear it in public.
But I can't bear to give it up. It's my hat. We've been together so long, through so many things. It's like a part of me. And there it sits, "like a cabbage leaf on my head."
The poem began, as many poems do, while I was out walking, this time with Phyllis.
Actually, we encountered two young girls, strolling in the other direction. Strangers, but I probably smiled and spoke.
One of them smiled and said something in reply, but I didn't catch what it was.
After we had walked far enough that I thought we were out of earshot of the two, I asked Phyllis: What did she say?
Cool hat, she replied.
Cool hat?
That's right. Cool hat, she assured me.
That's when I had the impulse to toss my hat in the air and do a few dance steps right there. Who says I'm not in touch with the younger generation?
Today's poem, part of a manuscript in search of a publisher:
COOL HAT
It has been
wind-stripped,
limb-grabbed,
lost and found,
rumpled, crumpled,
laundered until
it cries for mercy,
and it sits like
a cabbage leaf
on my head.
But then she,
a young girl about
half my height,
flashes a smile,
says, "Cool hat!"
and for a moment,
just a heartbeat,
a quickened stride,
I feel like
tossing my hat
in the air
and dancing.
© 1999
(orignally published in Capper's)
***
Today's word:
heartbeatAfterthoughts ...in response to your comments:
No, I haven't read Ghost Eyed Tree, Helen, butI'm putting it on my list of things to read (I'm particularly intrigued by the prospect of seeing watercolor illustrations) ... and I thank you for the tip. Oh ... and I'm delighted that you liked the poem ... "Cool Hat," that is.
Have you ever read the children's book..."Ghost Eyed Tree?" It involves a hat like yours. The watercolor pictures in it are very charming. Please look at it if you are in a library or book store...or call them and see if they have it. You'd enjoy it and worth seaking out. I own it and it's...somewhere--can't give it away. I always read it to my classes and showed them the pictures. It's not new. If you have a Border's, if it's not still in print, they'll order it on used books and tell you the condidtion...and hardly ever costs more than $11.00 and they pay the postage.
ReplyDeleteThis poem is wonderful!
PS...when I said, "This poem is wonderful" I meant yours today...not the book the Ghost Eyed Tree...that is not poetry. When I read it over, it sounded like I wasn't talking about your poem. I really like it. When you get a chance to read the children's book I mentioned, you'll see the connection.
ReplyDeleteHelen