Women of old, they say,

liked hats.

Big hats, frilly hats,

pretty Easter bonnets.

Tangible things,

in tangible boxes.

 

Women of now, I say,

like hats.

Figurative hats,

intangible hats,

that we can change

from one moment to the next.

 

I've worn many hats,

and you have too

though none of them fit quite right.

I'm a teacher, a writer, a computer programmer--

someone's daughter

and somebody's wife.

 

And when someone asks me

who I am

invariably, without hesitating

I show them one of my

many hats, as if that represents

all that I am.

 

Someone very wise once wrote

"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple."

I understand how she feels.

When I am an old woman

I shall put away my hats

my crutches--and simply say

 

I am me.

---

Copyright 2000 Sandra Miller

All Rights Reserved

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