When Did My Hat Change To Black

almost a song (it's getting closer)

When did my hat change, to black,
In younger days, I wore, a-hat-of- white.

And all that knew me
Knew, where I stood, in a fight.

The good days are over
all around me has changed.

I stare in the distance
and see the promise, of rain.

 America’s blessings, are protected
By our, soldier’s, hands,

and that thin blue-line
not, so thin, where I live.

And this old world’s turn’n
Turn’n, down, a dead end.

 I close my eyes, and feel
the warmth, of the wind.

So I hung up, my hat of white
And will wear it, on my final, journey home.

Come stand beside me,
and let our voices, bring, change.

In my mind I see momma,
& for me, she waits.

Now, I may never pass, this way, again.
And change, depends on you.

So trust in each other, & speak, the truth.
 My time is ending & a new day has come.

An Eagle flies over, and I, I close my eyes,
glance at my watch, and wonder, about the time.

 
And I ask you my friend,
when did my, hat, change, to black?

Author's Note

almost there, still working on this one

Reviews

[송지ፏ..]

Very patriotic, I liked it. I don't get the meaning of the black and white hat, but English is my second language. It seemed to me that our hearts change as we see the cruelty of the world. Our hearts use to be innocent when we're young.

[.]

I think the hat changed to black when you looked at the world with the eyes of experience......it has changed since the days of youth, and so too has the hat and your thoughts on the world around you. I believe that happens to all of us at some point. It just depends what colour our hat changes to.

This does read almost like a song; something Dylan might sing at a festival in response to the changes he views. It has that questioning, probing quality.
I can only read your words and get a small inkling of the changes in the American way of life, since i am not of the USA, but your message does find its way through. Change is occurring all over the world, and sometimes not for the better.

An interesting piece. Thoughtful and nicely expressed.

[barleygirl]

Your message is a good way to address the current struggles, yet with subtlety. This poem doesn’t take sides, except for the all-American side, & I love that. Despite our disappointments with what’s been going on, we still need to NOT buy into the divided state of affairs. Your words are wise & careful. The hat colors make for excellent imagery to suggest we all wear our attitudes prominently (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Cherrie Palmer]

It is a little to wordy I need to trim it down a tad. So I have it on the back burner for now.

[Cherrie Palmer]

The cool thing is I made this up in a dream and forgot the simple structure of it before I could write it all down.

[barleygirl]

Amazing! Great share!

[Mrudula Rani]

When did my hat change to black my friend? I suppose when our emotions decide what colour our hat should be. And we show the world how unhappy our state of mind is ... the color of hat will Change without much ceremony.

[Cherrie Palmer]

Lol I love that :)

[Onlyme]

A very patriotic, true American. I could feel the passion and love for your country. In this powerful, heartfelt, true poem.

[Cherrie Palmer]

It's to wordy I need to slim it down.

[wordman]

times has changed for sure,along with morals and all the other things we were brought up to believe
life should be,,this is another time that has came up from our children and grand children

[KCthelastboyscout]

You're right.it starts off like a song then it turns into something else.you get emotional towards the end and it's written well that way.maybe there's still time for your hat to change back...

[Cherrie Palmer]

The ending needs work

[jacob erin-cilberto]

the soldier's hands battle for our right to wear what other color hat we want to own...
i really like the philosophy in this...we are getting tired of all the B.S....time for things to change for the better again.
j.

[Cherrie Palmer]

The flow of ideas needs a little work but it's in the neighborhood