A most difficult
and dark home life..
a small girl
carried her burdens
to kindergarten class
each saddened day..

There her emotions
were released in
explosive despair..
fears and sorrows
expressed in her
most anguished way..

The teacher in
a recalled moment
of quick inspiration
found a hat
a black hat in a
costume drawer..

The hat now named
the brave hat..
and when emplaced
the little girl found
some moments of peace..
Then her peace spread..

Wearing the hat
worked its spell
on each wearer in turn
including the teacher
whose day then most
surely improved..

Did the black hat
an identity assume
of those shadows
outside..
And become absorbed
in each inner sun...?