the k.k.k.
went and burned down the great bethel african church in chicago.
i feel that old rope of dread
dragging up the ridge of my spine
daddy, i say,
the klan burns down a negro church in illinois,
they rob a catholic church in burlington,
they try killing a jew right here.
well, they’re just giving white folks a bad
name.
giving white folks a bad name, daddy repeats
and he starts to laughing, and then,
i’m laughing, too.
until the laughter turns on us and we are wringing grief,
our faces touching,
our hands entwined.
first time we’re right together like that
since mamma’s gone.