I guess I’m sorry that I took your hat
Just swatted it right off your curly head and
Let it fall
Brown and woolen
To the dirt
And lifted my foot
Raised it with anger I knew I’d regret later
And let it down with a soft smush

I guess I’m sorry that I stomped
Hard
Just stomped and twisted and ground that
Friendly hat --
Like it was a rattlesnake that had just bitten my cat --
Into dust and familiar woolen shreds
You know, after you left
I stayed with your hat for a while
Saw that silly green button you
Stuck on it
Read: “My hat, my pride”
And I realized…
I loved that hat

So it’s on my desk now
And I tried to fix it
But you know how bad I am with needles and thread
However, I’ve salvaged the button
It’s not even dented
And I guess I really am sorry
I’ll buy you a new hat