The Red Hat

‘Twas in another century On a desolate, dreary day When something red from skies above Wafted Into the land of gray. It slowly drifted in the sky, Then lit on the head of a boy. For reasons that are unexplained, It filled his heart with joy. But the land of grey - it had rules, Whether they be written or “un-“. Here every hat must be grey, And exceptions there would be none. The notice of the king’s two henchmen, This violation did not escape. They took it upon themselves, The youth’s behavior to reshape. Perhaps it bothered those big men To hear that cap say, “look at me!”, But who can translate words said in “hat”? It could have screamed “I am free!” The soldiers were dealt three more cards And those were number, age, and size. They grabbed and tossed up that red cap Back and forth high in the grey skies. The lad could not catch that dear hat. Those brute’s mouths filled with laughter. The tike was separated from his joy Which he desperately ran after. Why’d these bruisers enjoy their jobs? Was it just control to maintain? Or the simple joy of sharing The pleasure of inflicting pain? While we do not know the answer, We know they hid the hat so trusty And relegated that red headgear ‘Neath a chair, dark and dusty. This once political prisoner - Did he escape? Forgotten instead? He performed his mystical magic And is now sitting upon my head.