Hats for Hammerheads

Hats for Hammerheads is a poem about resilience and determination – about defying bullying and persecution.
It focuses on the tale of young Henry Finn “perfectly normal except for one thing – He had the head of a hammerhead shark”.
Henry, supported by his loving parents, works his way through school and college very successfully, despite being mocked by his peers. Unfortunately upon attempting to enter the world of employment he finds that his path is blocked as, repeatedly, the hat – both metaphorically and in reality – does not fit his head.
The despondent Henry makes his way to see his Aunt Ophelia who encourages Henry to fight harder against stereotyping and persecution – “Make them all see that the hat fits your head just perfectly.”
A turning point for Henry is his journey home from his Aunt, her advice ringing in his ears, as he notices a proliferation of characters with unusually shaped heads. It strikes him that he could support not only himself - but all cranially challenged people - by designing hats that would fit them all.
Henry’s millinery enterprise proves to be a massive success and leads to job offers and celebrity – however Henry rejects these offers and dedicates his life to his hat-making empire .... in which “his favourite bit – is making those hats that they said wouldn’t fit.”