COMMUNITY: Mama Nigger

 

MAMA NIGGER

  

She’s beautiful, you know.

 

That old toothless,

double-chinned,

potted, pitted,

saggy, worn,

shaggy, balding

mama nigger

would come into the store,

stop, smile,

and then throw out a laugh

that would astound me

by its honesty.

 

Why did she laugh?

 

Because that old toothless,

double-chinned,

potted, pitted,

saggy, worn,

shaggy, balding

mama nigger

had got more to her than

     us poor rich old young people

              who only twinkle-toed around.

 

She’s beautiful, you know.

    

 

Beth Good - 1972

Written for her friend, Ruthie