But I Did

But I Did.

It was almost a lifetime ago
The deep south was still fighting
Not the civil war that was over for some
But as a young black boy 
I learned it was not over for me.
I remember the galloping hooves 
Of the klansmen in ghostly white hoods.
Of the crack of the whip on black backs
The begging of women as men were lynched.
I did not understand it was a war then.
But it was . 
I did not believe we would win it.
But we did.

Years later as a teenager
I remember the jungles of Nam
Lay on my belly finger on my trigger.
Alert for each jungle noise.
I could feel my father 
from all those years back.
He whispered hush son 
Lay quiet the galloping hooves 
may pass by.
I did not think I would survive Nam.
But I did.
I learned from his wisdom
That in such bad places
A boy needs his father with him.