Jefferson Davis the Adoptive Father of the…

When Richmond is finally one of the

world’s great capitals I will line the streets

with apple trees and whenever a gust

of wind sweeps the blossoms from the branches

troops of white petals will rush among the

citizens and they will be reminded

of the fearful price we paid for freedom

I will walk with them and be reminded

and have the pleasure of it and be pleased

also by the device and I will smile

some generations hence the Negro will

be freed but his generations will have

tended those trees and Richmond’s Negroes will

vie for the honor of tending them still

I will make Jim prince of those who tend the

trees and his sons will be princes but first

I must coin a title that signifies

a prince who can never become a king

Source: Poetry (November 2017)