Ode to a Hat
The summer, the year, she has passed so quickly, so eventfully, with the highest of thrills, the darkest tragedies of loss; the indulgent and sinful decadence of time well spent, laughter well expressed, and the regret of time not taken for and with others.
So I find myself reflecting on the transiency of time, the joy of hope, the importance of faith.
So this month, as we enter into a new school year, and also come upon the anniversary of a fire which touched my family deeply, I will honor a poem written by my brother-in-law, who so eloquently expressed his thoughts following that fire last year. I hope that it touches you deeply as well.
Ode to a Hat
It was down in the hold of the ship:
I crocheted It in the half light of crew arguments and
the stomach-bending pitch of the vessel,
While far away, my mother wondered if I still Loved her.
It was colored the give and take of Calico--
and I realize now I must have borrowed the yarn
(after all, I didn't board with any).
And its Presence insulated me from where I was,
And from who I have become.
Afterwards, I did mail it to her...my Mother.
Then, much later, it appeared in photographs -
in scenes of her
studying Chinese, playing piano or some such thing --
in those cold Northern California days, bathed in Hope.
There was always that special Covering,
an Object Captured, yet rarely mentioned...
Well... then... "The FIRE":
The FIRE, She took the HAT.
The FIRE took almost everything--even the piano I learned on.
Plus... ...that silly bit of spindly, mottled poly-thread covering which
Most likely had believed Itself safe.
Safe in a box where it had been deliberately placed so as not to be Worn to Death.
Safe where it might continue--as all Love Hopes to.
Safe, where, when the Flames finally found it,
It told them it had already served a Greater Purpose.
Greater than all its Adversaries possessed.
And it spoke the Truth to that Flame:
"I've mattered more in this world than you could ever possibly Hope to.
I have done my Work.
Now take me Home.”
- Ladd Holroyd