MISSISSIPPI
	M - I my, my how my daughter done grown growing up twixt bowed pine needles red clay cricks forever duck- and weaving a weeping willow switch CROOKED LETTAH, CROOKED LETTAH Mama that switch wasn’t fair life ain't fair, child never said it was simply the way it be's I know about fair, Mama blackwatch plaid parochials The nonexistence of fair scrubbed pink nails facing down Fair being who you are arched palms stinging Fair being where you at Westcott rulers never soft Fair has always been relative Sister Immaculata called me out For Black girls like me as Mary and I discussed a division problem I never could solve those problems without a remainder Mary being white without a whipping I, inescapably black corrupting porcelain's purity... I girl, you been trained better change that big "I" to small done lost your faculties? you forgot where you be? white folks'll think you full of yourself drawing so much attention CROOKED LETTAH, CROOKED LETTAH But Mama, A letter came to our P.O. Box The University wrote saying They want me I've been accepted... I girl, i don't know what i'ma do with you looking for acceptance from white folks you ain't done learned nothin for all your smarts HUMPED BACK, HUMPED BACK - I... Help me, Mama My back's out I need you, I can't stand yes you can if you let go lose that extra burden a back can't help but be humped forever talking about fair when you gonna learn that no matter how much education or how much you attain whether it be riches or fame now, don't move none don't you dare flinch Her concentrated, gospel hands Stroke and palpate My knotted, weary back Calmly expressing truth Before setting me straight in all but a few rare eyes, my poor fool child, you're nothing more just some niggah wench