This Old Straw

A man can get rather attached to his hats.

This Old Straw

This tired ol' sweat-stained hat of mine
Oh the stories it might could tell
Why when it was still spankin’ new
All the ladies said it looked swell

When winter comes pokin’ around
I store it away safe and dry
Seein' as it's a summer straw
Come spring, again I keep it nigh

Straws typically only last
For one or two good season's use
But this one had a special shape
I try keepin' it from abuse

Somehow it’s hard to ever find
A summer straw that suits me right
One with the right crown and brim shape
Such as smooth brim curves and tall height

Its third summer it got some tired
The brim developin' a curl
And the crown got a steer stompin'
The year it got slapped by my twirl

Sweat stains of course attract some dirt
Occasional thunderstorm rains
Have washed off the stiff lacquer some
But not a one of them soil stains

It’s no longer lookin’ so special
Its original shape is bent
But we’ve got miles together now
It’s sure ugly, I do lament

But that no-question, ugly part
Don’t seem to much bother my cattle
When gatherin’ up mavericks
Why, they never ever tattle

Of course I've got a Sunday felt
A newer straw for dress-up days
But they don't feel quite so much "me"
As this old hat’s sad beat-up ways

I call it my ol' barn hat now
It might be season number six
My wife says to get rid of it
But I just go say, "Fiddle-sticks"

Every man needs a barn hat
One which he can just knock about
Or move some ornery cows with
By swattin’ on their ugly snout

Why we have gathered us some strays
And fought off lotsa' sun and rain
It know it no more looks so good
But this cowboy's not very vain!

This ol’ hat’s been mighty loyal
It feels 'bout like a trusty friend
If it’s all the same to all y’all
I'll keep wearin' it 'til my end

by Rik "Yonder" Goodell
© 2025 All rights reserved

This painting, by Gregory Mayse, of  a cowboy doing his job, seemed a good fit for this poem.

For more of this artist's work, go to his website:

https://www.gregorymayse.com/