Saloy - "My Mother's the Daughter of a Slave"

an early generation of free city-Black women,

New Orleans, 1907,

when jazz honked and tonked dives

in the Vieux Carré and uptown.

She was jet black, and she was happy.

Never knew she was cute

till a high-yellow nigger named Louie came ’round.

Called Mother pretty black, almond eyes,

street-light bright.

I never knew her grown.

She said, “live good bébé.”

She passed in ’66,

knew everybody for blocks,

and they came every night for two weeks

to pay last respects.

Stood single file for two blocks on the banquette.

From sundown to starlight,

they came they said because they remembered.

Said she always had a wink, a smile,

and time to listen, or make big fun, or help, or be.

Always said, “live good everyday;

it’s all we’ve got.”

And they came they said

because they remembered.

She was jet black, and she was happy.

Never knew she was cute

till a high-yellow nigger named Louie came ’round.

Called Mother pretty Black,

almond eyes, street-light bright.

I never knew her grown. She said,

“live good bébé; it’s all we’ve got.”

Saloy, Mona Lisa. Red Beans and Ricely Yours: Poems. New Odyssey Series. Kirksville, MO: Truman State University Pr., 2005.