Looking for Langston in Lincoln, Illinois
at the Lincoln parade, we looked for Langston
in his old hometown
thinking he'd revisit shops, streets, alleys
where he walked into early manhood
we looked for Langston
under Orion's light
high school bands highstepped
round the city courthouse
blurting "i'll be home for xmas
if only in my dreams"
we looked for Langston
toetapping to bugles, drums, flutes
saxophones, tubas, trumpets, french horns,
& flinging his arms wide in some place
in the night
past silos' long shadows
black against amber sun
glinting against umber soil
brushbrown trees
we strode the equipment bus
looking for you, Langston
isolated farmhouses
hugged the ground
windowpane glinted reflecting falling sun
night came tenderly blacklikeyou
we looked for Langston
in every face straining to see
youths marching round the creamy domed courthouse weary blues of the Christmas season
chased by eager chimes flowing round the town square notes like a river you've known
we looked for you, Langston
jingle bell rock and holly jolly xmas
rang in the crisp air
we looked for you, Langston
and found you sauntering in and out between ghosts:
Brigham Young, Elijah P., Old Abe,
Grant, stamping on old stomping grounds.
We looked & found you, Langston
laughing & sharing a Tootsie Roll with a big-eyed boy.