Miss Haygood's World

What did she know
when she hung that picture
about being a cripple
in 1964?

What did she know of that white Maine world?

Horsemill Holler
mother and retarded daughter
school to teach white children
town to love white men

What did she know about shades of brown and tan?

chicken salad lunches
ride to school on buses
swing the shining sickle
cut the ripened grain

What did she know
when she hung that picture
of the handicaps of longings
and the struggle to get home?