Things Fall Apart in Memphis
(In honor of Chinua and Martin)

Not every foundation

not the blanched walls

of ignorance that clawed against you

or the mouths spitting

picket signs in to a pyramid of fury

not the Bible beating saints who

pillaged your sand and sea

or the ivy vines of Tarzan

swinging his effigy on a jungle peak, no

not every foundation

not the hosing uniformed dogs

not the impetuous winds of imperialism

not even a contingent heart of darkness

or a precision of a balcony’s bullet

could rifle the sod and skies

beneath you.