Thread: The Opera Hat

Everyday
after lunchtime,
she shamelessly
shops Fifth Avenue.

Everyone seems to know her.
They wave or wave her off.

It was all a matter of perspective
to which she paid no mind.

After all, she is one
of The Ladies who Lunch
in Manhattan.

Above
approval or disapproval.

Scuttlebutt portrayed her.
Soured ambrosia,
night flowering
White Angel’s Trumpet,
nasty little bitch.

I first saw her in
Grand Central’s Ladies Room
the evening I dined
at Cipriana Dolci.

It was cheap lipstick
she was applying.

Looking thin
in oversized
long black dress,
faded.

She caught me
trying not to stare

and muttered
"What do you care?"


　
Everyday
after lunchtime,
The Lady who Lunches

parks her shopping cart
near the dumpster off Fifth.

Her hands,
sugar prongs,
picking up
apple peelings,
donut remains,
a Burger King wrapper
for the licking.

Waste, a delicacy.

One afternoon
her hands,
just small sins,
touched satin.

She pulled out
an Opera Hat.

What's this?!

Who would trash
a hat such as this?

Like the life
which threw me away.

She was that shy,
neighborhood girl.

The smart one,
gone mad
on that fine line.


Carefully,
as if she were
bathing her infant,
the nineteen year old
pulled out a rag,
dusting off debris
of this discarded,
disregarded hat.

She thought it
a perfect fit
(while its
wiggle room giggled).


Looking thin
in oversized
long black dress,
faded,
she donned an Opera Hat

pushing her cart
up Lexington Avenue,
smiling,

recalling that night
her dad took her
to see “La bohème”

a year ago.
　
__________________________________________________ ___________
This poem was inspired by S.M. grimbldoo’s poem “Pride” Thank you, S.M,!

Yours, SM

Such a rich,complex story! I fell in love with your character!Brilliantly woven,simply told,this poignant tale unfolds with such smooth elegance...Only one tiny nit--"who could trash such a hat such as this"---maybe loose the first "such", and go with "who could trash a hat such as this"? Maybe--what do you think? I love this melancholy story, and the tragic ending, is wonderful. What a treat to see this side of you! Peace...Jul

Thank you, Jul. It sounds like you fell in love with my character as much as I did.

I lived and worked in Manhattan for nearly twenty years and saw many homeless people. All ages, sizes, shapes.

There was this one homeless man who lived in a cardboard box right up the street from my apt. Once a week, I would save half of my lunch sandwhich and give it to him on my way home. He'd smile in such a way, trying to conceal his rotted teeth.

Like many homeless persons, he disappeard during the cold season. Frankly, I missed him and wondered where he went to hybernate. He'd return in the spring.

There's a book on my list to read, titled "The Mole People". It's about the "society" of the homeless who live in the underground, beneath Grand Central Station. They have a very structured world where certain codes are not to be broken. There, lives scientests, teachers, run away girls who could no longer stand the streets. All sorts, living together under the roof of Grand Central's polished floor.

This poem, as I saw it, had to be simply written. Just my instinct today. Customarily, my work is image ridden. Just a bit of imagery, here.

"such" was a hiccup! And a fix. Thanks for catching that and for your review, nearly an art form! Laurie

I love it! Such wonderful descriptions ... I could see her so clearly. As the words continued a light mood became more tragic, and then the last line told me she'd only been on the street for a year. Leaving so many questions now. Wondering what sent her over that "fine line" into this life. But there are so many who end up there, for so many different reasons. Has there been a documentary done on the homeless? I'd like to know some of their stories. There's an idea for a longer piece, perhaps a short novel, even.

Thank you, Phyliss. I've read your generous and insightful reviews and am honored to hear from you.

About the "fine line" there's a saying "There's a fine line between brilliance and madness"

Hence:

The smart one,
gone mad
on that fine line

I'm sure there are documentary films made about the lives of the homeless. But I've not seen one. I would suspect that there are few. Such a tabboo. Such a shame. People in the mainstream should be educated as to why they're fellow people sink to such an extent.

As I said, having lived in Manhattan, I've seen many homeless people. I have witnessed them being kicked, spat upon. Have heard of them being set on fire. Inhumane atrocities.

I would suggest a film to watch, featuring Robin Williams (playing a simply brilliant and tragic role) in one of my favorite movies (I've watched it three times) "The Fisher King"

Trailer: This is how it should go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=echAo...eature=related

I like the story. Here is this young, only just adult girl that was left out on the streets. And then in her current state, she finds an opera hat that had been discarded as trash despite it's beauty, like her, and she gives it purpose. Makes me want to see her be given a purpose.

S.M. You summed it up beautifully and perfectly.

she finds an opera hat that had been discarded as trash despite it's beauty, like her, and she gives it purpose.

And it gives her purpose. We only know that it makes her happy, reminding her of her special night out with her father. It's inferred that she has a mental illness (which brings many to the streets). This Opera Hat might be her connection to reality. Or, simply, she might just enjoy wearing it. It's all left up to the reader's imagination.

Thank you and for your insight, SM

S.M.grimbldoo- I really enjoyed your thoughts on Laurie's brilliant poem. I totally missed that connection--that she had been discarded , like the hat. Thanks! peace...Jul

Hi, Laurie. I like this, as usual. I do have a couple crits that I will share when I have time. Today is a very busy day. Mostly concerning things that should probably be cut and line breaks/stanza breaks. Your word-choices are lovely as always. Looking forward to going through it.

Hugs,

Bay

Bay, thanks so much for popping in. I know how busy you are. Looking forward to hearing what you have to offer my poem. Big Hugs, Laurie

She makes the Opera Hat have a purpose by wearing it, and its new purpose is to give her the purpose of wearing it. A purpose cycle!

I like that S.M. A "purpose-cycle"! And thanks to you, I wrote this poem on purpose. SM

Ha! What a purposeful conversation! XD