Pickaninny
Blink
A small black child
twig legs scurry across the mud path
almost camouflage within dust’s shadow
Blurry
Blink
A grown black man
thick legs march across the mud path
almost camouflage within dust’s shadow
Fear tickles the throat
Tickle it back with
one dirt caked finger
left arm contorted to reach behind the waist
residue sprinkled lightly upon the trigger
Little Sally Walker
Sittin in a saucer
Ride Sally ride
Blink Blurry Blink
Parched tickled cough
a small black child camouflaged as a grown black man A grown black man camouflaged as a small black child
thick twig legs scurry scurry march across the mud path
Ride Sally ride
Wipe the tears from your eyes
Blinks won’t help the blur
when everything’s camouflaged
But when that pickaninny sings
hum along anyways
