A NICKEL FOR A SMILE

When I was sick my father would put
a nickel through the crown of his fedora
just to see me smile.  
i can tell you this - no hole,
only one nickel, and it was hard
work.  He pushed and puffed
and said "gosh darn" and "sonofagun"
and never mentioned once
how bad I smelled of mustard plaster
or Vicks Vaporub, he just got busy
and put that nickel through his hat
and I smiled, you bet.

			Lucille Hamilton