john henry At McDonalds

Metal on 

Metal on 

Metal on metal on metal on metal, 

sweat dripping down his back as the young White man 

Who had arrived two weeks ago and quickly risen up the ranks

shouts at him to work faster than the train, faster than the engine 

with his hammer of broken

slave chains until he collapsed, victorious for a fruitless goal.

But today, today is not 

Then. 

Today is a new day, POST racism, POST slavery POST all that was wrong in the past

and now john henry works in the air conditioning of McDonalds 

racism long Behind, slavery long Behind, all that was wrong long long Behind. 

while the young White boy who had arrived two weeks ago and quickly risen up the rank

critiques the way he flips his burger.