Papa died smiling
Wide as the ring of a bell
Gone all star white

Small as a wish in a well
And Sodom, South Georgia
Woke like a tree full of bees

Buried in Christmas
Bows and a blanket of weeds


Papa died Sunday and I understood
All dead white boys say, "God is good"
White tongues hang out, "God is good"


Papa died while my
Girl Lady Edith was born

Both heads fell like
Eyes on a crack in the door
And Sodom, South Georgia

Slept on an acre of bones
Slept through Christmas
Slept like a bucket of snow


Papa died Sunday and I understood
All dead white boys say, "God is good"

White tongues hang out, "God is good"