Little Rock 1953

I was only a boy
not even in school yet
up on my daddy's shoulders to see
those convertible cars
with well-dressed white folks
who would always be
more important than me
and we clapped
and we cheered
as the cars were getting near
though we didn't even know 
who was inside
local yokels on a fourth of July ride
a day to celebrate being free
for everyone a lighter shade of me
in Little Rock 1953