For the Love of a Hat

Three girls weathered the Arizona heat
Ranch hands distributed straw cowboy hats
Without them we’d have fallen to sun’s defeat
As our horses bounded through desert flats
Far faster than the onlooking wildcats 
 
My comrades suffering from heat stroke
We chilled the next day and drove to Tombstone
Where spirits of Wyatt and his crew were evoked
Marshal’s badges for sale, tickled my funny bone
Placed on my hat, in the sun the badge shone
 
The next day we rode again full speed
Tense fists clinging to the saddle horn
Through an area best known for tumbleweed
My hat flew off, a cactus now adorned
No longer on my head was it worn
 
After we returned to the stable
I set out on foot and retrieved my marshal hat
To reach it, I was nearly disabled
Coyotes did not put out a welcome mat
To shoo them away, I swung cactus like a bat
 
 
*Entry for Carol’s “My Favorite Hat or Bonnet” contest.  (True, but for the swinging 
of the cactus -- ouch!)
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Onclaud Avatar
April 9, 2011 at 10:34 PM
a real funky treat, carols.. congrats for hitting the charts real hogh!! :) huggs, nette
Freeman Avatar
April 9, 2011 at 6:12 PM
So cool to see you in the top 3 spot Carolyn. Great day in the neighborhood friend. Congratulations on your worthy poem's honered second Place! Agape, Moses
Poet Avatar
April 9, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Congrats Carolyn on your big win in the contest!---kash
Phookan Avatar
April 9, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Congrats Carolyn on your 2nd place win in the contest. Enjoyed your very adventurous write on this cactus hat ,shooing off coyotes and stuff...Love, Gautami
Mannan Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 10:05 PM
What a way to retrive the hat Carolyn. many congrats for this win dear.
Johnson Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 4:31 PM
Congratulations Carolyn on your win with this delight. Love, Joyce
Mehta Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 2:53 PM
Congratulations on the second place win in the contest, Carolyn
Fahey Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 2:27 PM
Super entry, Carolyn! Congrats on your win! Ellen
Guzzi Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 2:18 PM
Just a wonderful romp through the pairies with you! No one tells a tale quite like you do ;) Congrad's on your big win! Light & Love
George   Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 2:04 PM
Told you this would be at the top of the winners circle, Carolyn. Love it! Many congrats, Lainie
Horne Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 1:41 PM
LOL - many congrats : )
Brown Avatar
April 8, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Congratulations on your placement in my contest Carolyn. The poems were all so good was hard to judge. Love, Carol
Foulk Avatar
April 3, 2011 at 6:44 PM
hey where would a cow girl do without her hat, you had to do what you had to do. really enjoyed reading this, it brought a smile to me. thank you for reading house by the woods. it was my last poem to write before i had murphy put to sleep. as i wrote it, he sat by my feet looking up at me, he knew he was going to die soon, and only about 4 hours later he did, i'm still hurting and missing him so, i had him 12 years and 8 months.
Konos Avatar
March 18, 2011 at 6:11 AM
My hats off to you! Best wishes in the contest....
Neels Avatar
March 16, 2011 at 11:50 AM
What a brilliant trip you took me on with this one, thanks for allowing me to tag along.. You sure painted such vivid imagery with loads of wit Carolyn, wishing all the best for Carol's contest, love Wilma
Horne Avatar
March 16, 2011 at 7:50 AM
If I saw Cupid lurking, I'd certainly take cover - and I'd drag Sue with me LOL : ) Jack
Poet Avatar
March 16, 2011 at 12:04 AM
Wonderful true story you have penned here Carolyn!It seems yours have an adventurous life-kashinath
Delacroix Avatar
March 15, 2011 at 9:01 PM
Very well done, Carolyn! Very creative! Good luck on the contest. Thanks so much for your kind comments on mine. I hope you are doing well as well. Love, Caroline.
Fillmore Avatar
March 15, 2011 at 5:29 PM
This is a lively tale, Carolyn, and sure to be a winner! Best of luck in that contest. Kwe' is the Mi'kmaw (First Nations tribe in New Brunswick Canada) word for hello, not an invention...incorporated some of their spirituality to get this take on that picture...it was fun to do. It would be nice if all could live in the kind of harmony Kwe could inspire with his flute playing! Realized after I posted it, I was missing a part so it's been updated since you viewed:) glad you enjoyed it!
Mehta Avatar
March 15, 2011 at 1:36 PM
Nice adventure with humor on the hat adorned by cactus, Carolyn
Brown Avatar
March 15, 2011 at 12:32 PM
Thank you for supporting my contest Carolyn. Love, Carol
Onclaud Avatar
March 15, 2011 at 11:05 AM
oh, carols... a smartie for me and an exciting, pulsating piece.. what an adveture that reallly makes this one a winner! :) huggs, nette
Austin Avatar
March 15, 2011 at 9:13 AM
My hat's off to you, Carolyn, riding/walking around in that Arizona dry heat. Hey! They be rattle snakes in that there territory! Love, Dave
Horne Avatar
March 15, 2011 at 8:11 AM
Congratulations on being Number One - very well deserved : ) Jack
Kendrick Avatar
March 15, 2011 at 6:11 AM
Great work that reads like a winner..Different land different flower..Good luck in the contest..Sara
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace