Flying free in the wind
From the back seat
On the way to Lyons
I remember
What a great day
Dad and friend in front
My hand a windjammer
In the highway window
I remember
A familiar, manly sound
Wet, slick, globular disgust
Nothing to wipe my face off
I remember
"Eeewww that's gross,"
The seven year old cried out
Laughter and jeers
From the front seat
"Better out than in"
From the white passenger and friend
"Your mom sure has spoiled you"
With distain from the Black man driving
I remember
As I scrape full grown man snot mixed with wind
Spit mixed with highway dirt
Shame mixed with freedom
From my eye and cheek
My hand and ear
I remember
Oblivion
There was no communication back then
Did they even consider?
I would not be missed
How could I explain it?
I remember
There was no communication back there
Black to white
White about black
Father to son
Father to friend
Only son, in the wind
I remember
From the back seat of freedom
Self-imposed derision
There was no communication
I was seven
I remember
Laughter and exclusion, on the way to Lyons | JM