When America was Great
by Alan Gann


god looked like my grandfather
president like a smarter me
banker a richer me
and the police just like me

so I could walk through this world
showing off my black friends
once I realized that at least when I was around
they spoke and acted just like me
my votes properly cast
Humphrey-McGovern-Carter-Mondale-Dukakis

but now
my banker is a computer screen
almost anyone can be president
cops come in all colors shapes and sizes
and god
well the last I looked
she was pulling out her braids
yelling don’t lay your trip on me






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