LYNCHINGS

Enough of half baked hatred

toward the African American

slavery being in the skins

of a wicked rough house sin

I marched with Dr. King

down in Washington D.C.

the Boston Globe asked me

for my views after 1963

I learned the Negro anthem
"Lift Every Voice" in my sleep

at a sermon for Jackie Robinson,

Paul Robeson's memory I keep

Yearned for Satchel Paige

Ella Fitzgerald and Armstrong
as jazz pitched to engage us

hitched to a good sports song.