A Black Felt Cowboy Hat
The Ace of Spades
A lovely parting gift
Not a fashion statement
A necessary protection from the wind, rain, snow and sun

Given out of season by the new bride
A week been wed
Black is too hot for summer's journey west

A homestead to claim
I'll be back for you, Mrs Joe Pickett"
I'll be waiting, Mr. Pickett
Waiting for the return of my man"

There was a return,
Too soon and too late
The return of the Ebony Felt Cowboy Hat
A tall, thin Wyoming Sheriff bringing it back to its giver

Years passed and passed
The hat passed down
And story passed too

Passed down through generations
A legacy, a history an epitaph

Now it sits, on the musty old shelf in the tack room
Among the boots and chaps and reins and saddles
Mostly for show
Cobwebs all around

Once every year, do the chaps get strapped onto the skinny white legs of a young Grandson
And the old Black Felt Cowboy Hat is set on his blonde hair

Too big I must say

A soft mother's kiss sends Little Joey on his way

To Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo

© Catlynne Calvetti

High Country Communications