My New Chapeau

by Joan Leotta

I step out onto  

a cracked sidewalk

bordered by

empty shop windows

and a trash filled street.

Such is the world stretched out before me.

Confident in my long brown skirt,

matching boots,

warm purple wool cape,

new, broad-brimmed

lime green chapeau,

I proceed, in spite of a

blustering wind

that pulsates street trash in

small clouds around my feet.

As I walk, I glance

at my reflection in the vast

expanse of empty glass.

Wind attempts to upend,

perchance to steal,

my hat, by reaching up

under the brim and pushing it back

from its firm seat on my head.

Feeling his breath in my hair,

I press down on the hat to hold it

in place and stride quickly on,

knowing I have foiled wind’s

nefarious plan; confident I will

arrive at my desired destination,

fit, fine and fashionable.

* * * * *

Joan Leotta, www.joanleotta.wordpress.com, is an author and story performer. Her books include Giulia Goes to War, Letters from Korea, A Bowl of Rice, Secrets of the Heart, historical fiction in Legacy of Honor Series, Simply a Smile—a collection of short stories, and WHOOSH!—a picture book.