Sitting in tavern on South Wabash,
look up, see on television set one very,
very ugly man, black man with great growth
on forehead, huge shoulder, neck.
Think, another show about black criminal
everyone fear here.
No. Grotesque black giant open mouth and
Dmitri expect curse, but instead sing.
With voice that angel if were any
would put head under wing for shame
and envy, with voice that say “Look, look
at beauty of this world and never mind angel.”
Voice transport Dmitri back to Amsterdam, where once
visit former lover, sad story that,
now live over canal with rich Dutch man.
We are making talk together, and Dutch lover man
bring out book, open it. Look, Dmitri, he say,
what you think of these fellows here?
Look. Photo of some guys standing in front
of farmhouse-looking hovel, straw and black mud,
look like they grew up out of mud, dirty,
low muddy hair over low muddy brow,
like first man. They just are standing looking back
at camera as if wish to kill owner.
Look more, knowing this now lover testing
former lover, Dmitri. Late weak sun
through film of drapes, watery light like pearl.
Think, I hope I don’t ever get left alone with
these guys in picture. But say
words in Russian, as if can’t put thought into word
host enemy can understand. Then,
like coward, say, “These men look formidable .”
Surprise: my host enemy find this passes test.
These men, he say, are Frieslanders, and
took three hundred and more Jews away from Nazis
in little boats over sea to England.
Think about this as Aaron Neville on TV
in Chicago tavern sing, about these men
no one would welcome if walk in here,
maybe anywhere, who yet put lives onto sea
time and time, night and night, for people
maybe they even hate, but save from murder.
Best, still, Dmitri like to hear Aaron Neville
sing song Mona Lisa.
