“Doo Wop” (That Thing)

Come on girl, give a fella
a shine—you got that thing
That love me long time,
That add a dime—to the price
of a vase cause it come from
the place—where women bow girl
keep that smile girl, that thing,
that thing.

Teeth stained black girl
there’s no back girl
Red lips were made to be
silent.

Look out, Look out
the Devil works through kneading hands
Watch out, Watch out
at massage parlors where yen
means men with pens will come
to prey—after church on Sundays.

Bleach yellow to white
O’ BA BA san the beating
Run straight home at night
KA KA san the pleading inside
the seething, needing,
heeding to—a win, win
come again? You ain’t no
jin, maybe a Chin, there’s
no restitution for that thing,
that thing, that thing.