You are the President who most
looks like kin to Larry, Daryll
and Daryll, most
likely to enjoy squirrel soup.
This might be racist.
You were the first President
ever described to me nastily
with that word. Douglass
examined you, said, “This man
is no friend to black people.”
Posthumously, President Johnson,
This had hurt my feelings. Yet you
planted something here that wants
you, beyond the grave, to like me,
seeing past prejudice a redeemable
human being. Maybe, with boldness,
even a woman.