For Bobby

Look me in the face, old man Don't stare at the ground! Hold up your head, old man Don't shuffle around, And don't call me "miss", old man I ain't missed a thing! Except being your equal, old man Don't worry, you won't hang. Times have changed, old man Don't you know we can talk? As friends do, old man You need not balk! When I say, old man Look me in the face There's no such thing, old man, As "keeping your place." Times have changed, old man We are equals now No "woman", no "colored", old man No need to bow. I'm not angry at you, old man It's the ones before Who beat you down, old man Till you could rise up no more. Rise up now, old man! For all the world to see That you are proud, old man As all men should be!