For Christopher Higgins

Man, you grab my mind, took to me the mountainside Of ageless mystery Bogeyman and taboo enforcer Lord, I am no myth breaker, Brother swing song this child across the page Of dark nights howling our history The Rollin' Calf comes for Christmas And the butchers trembling Like banana leaves better have salt to throw Or stones One for the before One for the beside One over the head But don't let go I have walked there to Where the black puss cross your path And if you know not the Shepherd or his Psalm Turn back, this red sea won't divide Pharoah's magicians has centuries on their side Brother, that was king's palace The place of the well-to-do Who park the car far away, on foot coming Bag of white fowl over shoulder Little goat in crocus bag The obeahman, myal man, bush preacher Healer man, poco woman wants more Brother, how you invoke Dark deeds of dark nights Little boys shaking in fright Of pure belief The beggining of awe is worship The one ship that always sail Despite prohibition and class barriers Despite skin color and education Smile when you pass the cotton tree Smile and respect the obeahman.