Hard of Hearing

Some nights I drive into rural areas and turn-up my music

as a form of expression---breaking free

from curfews and work-passes and The Lynching Tree

beckoning Lynchmen to chase after me.

This is the point I'm trying to get across:

to announce I am from men who carried The Cross

who tore down barriers, with picket signs

that blocked night sticks and hoses on my kind

when their drinking fountain reeked u-rind, no urine

my friend

used to ask "why can't you play

your music for only your ears to hear?"

And I saw the blue-lights flash in the rear,

as I busted a U to get the

hell outta HEAR.