24 Crosses

I like the piece best
that’s 4 x 9
thirty-six-page book
diary of an artist on the wall

all to see, all to read
as easy as it is difficult

language you know or you don’t
way I’ve come to this day

knocked out too
saw similar squiggles and stars
see them still,
though I’ve come to

memories, not all good not all bad

order on the wall
my life story hanging

my grandfather, grand uncles
hanging from limbs
from ropes, from trees
in the U.S. South

strange fruit of Abel Meeropol
of Billy Holiday, of Nina Simone

36 lies, multiplied
about who died
this survivor’s truth
upon the wall displayed

24 crosses for kkk to burn,
for Jesus to carry


© Obediah Michael Smith, 2008
11:12 a.m. 28.02.08