HAS ANYBODY SEEN PO WILLIE?

To: All the Great Not Too Perfect People and Those Who Love Them

Has anybody seen Po’ Willie?
I saw him in an office downtown
As he turned on this heels
To salute the ladies real
He did a little dance
And spun round and round
“What it is, Give me five.”

He slides across the floor
They were hoping that he would
Hit the door
He goes back to speak
“I have not seen you in a week.
Did you know that I have found
A woman who weighs a hundred pounds
She comes in brown
Frame, that is.”

“Two and Two makes four
But I say they make three
Or more, that is, what it is!
Mama is busy in the kitchen
I ain’t got a shovel to go ditching
To work, what it is!”
He listens to a distance beat
With rhythm he tries to keep
“I know a little ditty
That you would certainly pity
It is impossible for you to know
The things that I explore
Because you think that I am sad
You have no idea of the happiness
I have had, what it is.”

“Oh, Willie, please go!”
So whisper the girls on the floor.
Just wanting him out of the door
But he is part of their day
They will miss him when he runs away
He twirls around the aisle
Then he dances there for awhile
He don't care if
His mama ain't proud
So, has anybody seen Po’ Willie?
Tell him to hurry back
Did he fall through the crack?
He is my son, that he is.

Author's Comments:
"This kid is not really my son; but a young man whom I observed long ago in a governmental office. He inspired me to expression. I wrote this poem; but lost it. It remains in my mind. I have tried to re-create it here. I wish that I could see Po’ Willie again. Thank you for reading. "