Jumping Bad Blues

By Yusef Komunyakaa

I've played cool,

hung out with the hardest

bargains, but never copped a plea.

I've shot dice head's up

with Poppa Stoppa

& helped him nail

his phenomena luck

to the felt floor with snake eyes.

I've fondled my life in back rooms,

called Jim Crow out of his mansion

in Waycross, Georgia, & taught

him a lesson he'll never forget.

*   *   *   *   *