On Viewing a Map of U.S. Lynchings 1877 to 1950 by Keith Welch
view from Heaven, maybe
dotted America
the South measeled,
poxed
Virginia to Texas
road trip
through blood counties
how did I pass
without knowing?
branches of trees
should bow low
under a great
weight of innocence
sliding through
on a white skin
in and out of diners,
gas stations
“You have a nice day”
they all said
“Have a nice day”
# # #
Keith Welch lives in Bloomington, Indiana. He works in the Herman B Wells library of Indiana University
Photo credit: Pavlofox