Esmeralda 1969
I met her
on the boardwalk ramp
and said ...
“You Have Nice Eyes”
The Gypsy Lady
fixed her gaze
my hand in hers
replied ...
“White hates black
and black hates white
their fear right now
forbids
“Division preys
to rule the land
fate drifting
on the skids
“But just remember
this one thing
if we are
to survive
“Coffee colored kids
will reign
to save our souls
— demise”
(Haverford College: February, 2026)
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Abstract philosophical meditation on racial division and unity, grounded in personal encounter.
Dense packing of ideas: racism, fear, division, survival, redemption across compressed lines.
Negative conflict acknowledged but redeemed by hopeful, redemptive final message.
Urgent, propulsive language; repetition and declarative statements create intensity and momentum.
Approximately 13-14 lines; falls in 7-15 line range.
Personification (fear forbids, division preys), metaphor (coffee colored kids), symbolic language throughout.
Primarily lyric-narrative hybrid; personal encounter frames abstract philosophical pronouncement by Gypsy Lady.
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