August 2018
My parents have taken on a sort of mystique in death -- especially my mother who was my beauty icon, as well as a rather secretive Scorpio. Writing about her gives me a way to know her better since she left too soon. My work has recently appeared in the California Quarterly, The Rise Up Review, and Writing In A Woman's Voice.
Hats Off
Your big floppy hat that so overshadowed me –
The funky floral one that I couldn’t begin to wear –
Your Jackie shades and little pillbox –
all too sophisticated for my less confident style.
In the sun, the wide-brimmed straw hat protecting
your pale, exquisite skin
The hats you wore when
your hair thinned from the chemo
The berets when
it was finally all gone –
I couldn’t pull off any one of those looks,
and now your hat rests, accessorizing
the canister of ashes
as I take my time
gradually scattering
your body to the wind and waters
of the world where you belong
Hatless
"Hats Off" was originally published in Gnarled Oak.
©2018 Betsy Mars
©2018 Betsy Mars
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the author (email address above) to tell him or her. You might say what it is about the poem that moves you. Writing to the author is the beginning of community at Verse Virtual. It is very important. -FF