to the highest point of the arch
of the steel bridge across the connecticut river
and said nothing.
johnny reeves,
who always has something to say to the crowd
stood,
swaying in the air,
silent.
no traffic moved from one shore to the
other while constable johnson
climbed to the top of the bridge
on an extension ladder.
he balanced, 70 feet from the roadway,
trying to talk johnny reeves down.
constable johnson asked
what reverend reeves was doing up there.
johnny reeves looked at him,
said,
i’m afraid of the klan.
and then he jumped
just like that.