Amen

I am teaching
Three college classes
In deep East Austin by the
Housing projects my students
Are mostly black some few
Hispanics and a sprinkle
Of Anglos plus one old
Man who is not on
The roll but more
A deacon to see
If I am OK and
Each time I
Make a
Point
He slams
His hand down
On his desk which
I realize is affirmation
As he softly adds amen.
One coed tells me the
Blackest berry has
The sweetest
Juice to
Which
I reply Ma’am
I’m not allowed to
Know that as
Behind me
A palm
Hits
A desktop
A voice softly
Adds an amen.