Dang You Then a Dang

And trip me up

a startled robbed way

Dreamt a burnt stump

for a tongue

          Ash-haired girl

The white American

Veteran said    Children

like you played

in the garbage

(Leftovers)

She said “I left my ease here”

heavy trays    trick knee

The trick of the model

minority     ( a favored

yet shitty condition )

We rung up the diction-tones

to be proud        we were

“I threw you away”

and old skins shed

as a Silver Snake (1941)

Sweet toddler on the

crook of her hip