Celebrating National Hat Day with Sara Teasdale

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inOn Location, Poetry in the Afternoon, Reading RoomTags:, , , ,

Sarah and I are celebrating

National Hat Day 2023!

If you are of a certain age, you will recall that there was a time when no one left their homes without a hat. It was the proper way to meet a new day.

Good News! Hats are making a comeback!

Hats come with unique personalities.  Some possess elegance and sophistication while others are jazzy, spirited, and feisty.

Think of Andrey Hepburn’s black Chapeau du Martin in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961).  Faye Dunaway’s signature beret in Bonnie and Clyde (1967). Diane Keaton’s big-brimmed bowler in “Annie Hall” (1977).

Over the decades hats have made a slow descent from their peak in the late 1920’s. The usual explanation for the decline is associated with the introduction of public transit and cars. These vehicles offered protection against inclement weather patterns. Hats were no longer required to keep people warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Join Sarah and me as we recite Sara Teasdale’s poem “Moonlight.”

It will not hurt me when I am old,
     A running tide where moonlight burned
          Will not sting me like silver snakes;
The years will make me sad and cold,
          It is the happy heart that breaks.

The heart asks more than life can give,
     When that is learned, then all is learned;
          The waves break fold on jewelled fold,
But beauty itself is fugitive,
          It will not hurt me when I am old.

This poem is in the public domain.

Moonlight is a short lyrical poem that uses various literary devices to depict the sorrows of a troubled youth. It expresses a feeling of resignation in the face of grievous feelings caused by betrayal in friendship and love. The poem is a short one with a poignant appeal. It speaks of the knowledge that the “heart asks more than life can give” and that “beauty itself is fugitive”. It also speaks of the understanding and wisdom one obtains with age, which enables one to see life and its ways in true colours.

Celebrate National Hat Day on January 15th by wearing your favorite hat and telling the story behind it. Invite friends to join you in wearing their favorite hats and telling stories or challenge them to make their own hats. Give away hats to those who need them, or those who would appreciate the sentiment. Learn the history of different hats and share photos and videos of your hat collection on social media with the hashtag #NationalHatDay. National Hat Day is a fun and whimsical way to celebrate and enjoy.

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

16 thoughts on “Celebrating National Hat Day with Sara Teasdale”

    1. That was the line that called to me, too, Liz! Sara Teasdale is formidable in her word choice. I read that her poetry is recognized for its simplicity and clarity, a reminder that complexity comes in simple forms.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Good heavens! WP has allowed me in! It wouldn’t let me have anything to do with you last week, not even to ‘like’ your post. I see you have another post out today – I’ve not tried that yet. A poignant poem which I’ll come back to later and read properly. But you won’t catch me in a hat on this, or any other day. I feel a total fright!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Margaret – I laughed out loud when I read that you won’t catch me in a hat. I know you would look amazing in a sun hat! And what about a fedora? Or the cloche – the bell-shaped hat of the roaring 20’s. I loved viewing photos of our queen, who always looked delightful in her colourful hats.

      I am glad that WordPress is allowing comments. I noticed that they had an app update for my iPad which indicated that they were working on some problems. Sending hugs!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’ll have noticed I didn’t comment on your other post that day. WP estalle has work to do …. By the way – just because the Queen was rather good at hats, doesn’t mean that this particular subject of hers is 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Absolutely delightful, ladies! Your sisterly camaraderie and winter landscape are perfect. The poem is truly poignant, but I doubt Ms. Teasdale as poet was able to absolutely quench the heartbreaks of beauty and youth. If it were permissible for a woman, I’d doff my hat to you. Even if it’s merely a toque or even some days, a balaclava! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Mary Jo – thank you for joining Sarah and me on a winter walk. We have been under the rain clouds for several days, so took the opportunity to go for a walk on a day that had sunshine between rain days. I love January for the days that allow for evening reading. Sending hugs your way.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I am fascinated by Sara Teasdale, Robbie, and will be reciting more of her poetry in 2023. She influenced many who followed her. Ray Bradbury was inspired by her poem “There Will Come Soft Rains.” “I Shall Not Care” from her 1915 collected poems appeared in Irene Hunt’s “Up a Road Slowly”. Amy Beach, Mildred Lund Tyson, Phyllis Zimmerman, Tony Write used her poetry in their music composition. And the list goes on….

      Many thanks for joining Sarah and I (as well as Sara Teasdale) on a winter walk.

      Liked by 1 person

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