Oh Achilles of the moleskins And the gridiron Do not wonder Nor doubt that this is I That lies so calmly here-- This is the same exultant beast That so joyously Ran the ball with you In those far flung days of abandon. You remember how recklessly We revelled in the heat and the dust And the swirl of conflict? You remember they called us The Terrible Two? And you remember After we had battered our heads And our bodies Against the stonewall of their defense,-- You remember the signal I would call And how you would look at me In faith and admiration And say “Let’s go,” ... How the lines would clash And strain, And how I would slip through Fighting and squirming Over the line To victory. You remember, Chick? ... When you gaze at me here Let that same light Of faith and admiration Shine in your eyes For I have battered the stark stonewall Before me ... I have kept faith with you And now I have called my signal, Found my opening And slipped through Fighting and squirming Over the line To victory.... _To Wanda_ To you, so far away So cold and aloof, To you, who knew me so well, This is my last Grand Gesture This is my last Great Effect And as I go winging Through the black doors of eternity Is that thin sound I hear Your applause?... NIGGER A Chant for Children Little Black boy Chased down the street-- “Nigger, nigger never die Black face an’ shiney eye, Nigger ... nigger ... nigger....” Hannibal ... Hannibal Bangin’ thru the Alps Licked the proud Romans, Ran home with their scalps-- “Nigger ... nigger ... nigger....” Othello ... black man Mighty in war Listened to Iago Called his wife a whore-- “Nigger ... nigger ... nigger....” Crispus ... Attucks Bullets in his chest Red blood of freedom Runnin’ down his vest “Nigger ... nigger ... nigger....” Toussant ... Toussant Made the French flee Fought like a demon Set his people free-- “Nigger ... nigger ... nigger....” Jesus ... Jesus Son of the Lord --Spit in his face --Nail him on a board “Nigger ... nigger ... nigger ...” Little Black boy Runs down the street-- “Nigger, nigger never die Black face an’ shiney eye, Nigger ... nigger ... nigger ...” LEWIS ALEXANDER