The Red Hat

I sat on the swing by the old red barn, dangling at the edge of the seat.

This was the only safe place that I could go, because I was scared of every little thing.

Cats, dogs, anything with four legs, or animals with feet smaller than mine

Roaches, grasshoppers, and even chickens, except the chicken on my plate is just fine.

Pa made a swing for me right here; he chopped it from the strongest oak he had

It seems if I'm anywhere else, even my room, these fears make me go mad

The gap under the bed is too mysterious for me; Pa had to saw down the legs to fill the space.

I don't walk into the kitchen too often; the floor is so shiny, I'd slip

I never walk the right pace

Friends don't come to call; they're afraid of me

Though I'm even more afraid of them!

The germs they could carry into my parents' home has me on the brink of mania, the very hem!

Pa makes me go outside, though I stay in one spot.

He swears his youngest daughter is crazy.

Don't even bother asking my mom; she's utterly convinced that her youngest daughter is just lazy.

So here I sit. Dangling on my swing. Upon my strong, strong piece of oak.

Gazing at the things I'm too scared to touch

I swing and swing with very little hope

As I look in the sky, I see a dot, getting closer and closer to me. I squint my eyes and lean a bit further

Just in case I need to run and flee

But as it gets closer, I notice something; it's not such a terrible sight.

It appears to be a red bucket hat

With polkadots all different sizes

It's so delicate! So bold in color! It looks just bright and brand new!

As I see it heading carelessly for the pond, I jump up without thinking of what to do

Bounding over the grass like I'd never done before, I had to get to it! If only I could fly!

It didn't dawn on me, as I leaned over a stump, a little rabbit was gaily passing by

Right as I reached out to grab it's pretty lace fringes, the wind blew it high into the air

My eyes pinned down the red color against blue sky to see if it would land and where

I followed it blindly, trailing away from the swing

And ended up by the old sycamore tree

It floated gently up and between two branches

Tucked, several feet above me

Ambitious as ever, I put my foot in a hollow, hoisting onto the thickest branch near

Nevermind the cicada, the lady bug crawling, and a butterfly that flew past my ear

Up and up, til I was right there, I reached and caught hold of the hat

Squeezing it close, I rested against the trunk, scooting and leaning all the way back

It was oh so lovely... And soft too! As if it's cotton were plucked straight from the clouds

Something catches my gaze then, just a foot away; a blue little bird making the most beautiful sound

It's sang a tune that was light and airy

With a melody high and sweet

As I listen, my eyes gaze at its form, then drifted down to look at its feet

So delicate a creature with such a high, strong voice

How ever could I have thought it a fright?

With feathers painted in periwinkle blue

And black feet... Way smaller than mine.

It fluttered away then, taking off on its way

Part of me twisted within a deep yearn

To be as free as a bird

To fly up high without fear

If only I had a way to learn

Looking down at my hat, the red treasure I found

I nodded, my jaw firmly set

Placing it right on my head, I vowed there it would stay, forever better yet.

jAy P.