Christmas Parade

The Memphis Christmas

parade had floats

of eye-catching youths,

high school

bands, Sivad, your

Monster of Ceremonies,

Santa Claus

and the KKK.

It was 1960. I was five,

and new to town.

When it was over

an ill wind

crashed through down-

town alleys

drowning out the

last lilting 

timbres of O Holy Night.