Page 90 of The Black Flamingo

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if this is his car, to see his license,

where are we going.

They tell him it’s a very nice car,

ask him what he does for a living.

My usually polite uncle

is abrupt with the police,

asks them what business

they have stopping him.

Was he speeding?

Was there a problem

with one of his lights?

Did he fit the description

of a suspect they’re looking for?

The police

say we can be on our way

and to have a nice day.

They get back in their car

and drive away.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

Uncle B begins:

“There’s always something.

No matter how hard you work.

No matter how well you do.

How successful or respectable.

There’s always something

that will remind you

you shouldn’t get too comfortable.

I always thought education

and money was going

to earn me respect,

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