If I were negro *

You can have the child.
The child won't last.
Did you know that Edvard Munch
was called confused and inarticulate,
deranged and depraved? You would.
If I were negro as some negro are
I'd have a hat for my stand. You could call me
Mister. Or not. Or no.**
I have no picture with which to make a postcard of myself.
Dont remember, that's what I want to say,
The aged star singing Dido in the park last week.
It was summer here.


* Charles McGill www.artnegro.com
** Or, Poetry October 2006, Thomas Sayers Ellis

March 1, 2007