Keeping It Trim & Burning

                      —for Fannie Lou Hamer

Philosophers dine in their drawing

rooms. Holy war & secret citizens

rage in Ruleville. I’ll laugh to keep

down the tears. Her chord sounds

Seekers, poets, & madmen rave

Bootleggers block the pain. But

her screams hard as train whistles

All Night Blues is dressed in red

Some lives end in jail cells. There’s

no rescue from the hanging noose

Purple shadows slash tombstones

In the gunmen’s hand peace ends

its debut. Fannie Lou is her gown

Her sky blue gloves shoot into dirt

Responses

Fannie Lou would love that one—in all her righteous indignation—at what's going on.  -- Miriam

posted 23 February 2006