The Idiot by Dudley Randall

That cop was powerful mean.

First he called me, Black boy.

Then he punched me in the face

and drug me by the collar to a wall

and made me lean against it with my hands spread

while he searched me,

and all the time he searched me

he kicked me and cuffed me and cussed me.

I was mad enough

to lay him out,

and wouldve did it, only

I didnt want to hurt his feelings,

and lose the good will

of the good white folks downtown,

who hired him.