John Lee Clark

LINE OF DESCENT

Susannah Harrison, “Songs in theNight; By a Young Woman, Under HeavyAfflictions,” didn’t touch him, but MorrisonHeady traveled by stage from Louisvilleto touch Laura Bridgman, whodemanded that Helen Keller wash her hands. Helenwould later touch many of us but wouldn’t let ustouch her back. But Laura alsotouched Angeline Fuller, whotouched Clarence J. Selby, whotouched the whole world, first in Chicagoand then in Buffalo. Whom shall wechoose for next in line? John PorterRiley. We don’t know whomhe may have touched. We know far moreabout his white classmate, but we hopethat he touched Geraldine Lawhorn, perhapsat an Ohio Home for the Aged and InfirmDeaf Easter Dinner. Jerrietouched too many to number. Robert J.Smithdas, who was an elitist bullyhiding behind poems so beautiful they openedcheckbooks. May he tremblein peace. Richard Kinney, whojoked that the armed forces wanted him. “The Armywanted me to join the Navy, the Navywanted me to join the Marines, and the Marineswanted me to join the Army.” But his handsoozed nicotine. I instead claim MarjorieMcGuffin Wood, “Dots and Taps,” whoinsisted she was no saint. She foughtuntil she touched every one of usin Canada, including Mae Brown. But Maeturned out to be Our Ladyof Untimely Death. So Marjorie kept ontouching until 1988. My father, Lee,was then still in denial, so it was I whowould later touch him, not him me. For my fatherI also name Leslie Paul Peterson, whosepoems tap my shoulders in autumn. I alsosalute Melanie Kuu Ipo Bond, whomUncle Tim Cook called Momma Naturebecause she was so down to earth. But shecalled herself the Black Turtle Ladybecause the race is not to the swift. It is to theslow and sure, certain of who we are.