Dear James Baldwin, they’re still down
at that cross and that cross that they’re
down at is still keeping them down
where they’re at; the more she keeps
voting for heaven, the more she’s
shoved down, and the more down she goes
the more she looks up at heaven
you wouldn’t believe all the things
that haven’t changed —
bans on gay marriage and
processed bread, a busy man’ salvation
— I still have your letters

Dawn Tefft | Mudlark No. 29
Contents | To the Freudian Psychologist