Come Down from the Clouds
Come down from among the Clouds
Come down from among the clouds and seat yourselves.
I will set plates for y'all. There will be no wooden flatware,
no metal cups, certainly no raggedy napkins. The ceramic
made in China, flatware in the USA, tempered glass in
Argentina, and napkins cut and sewn by a little old colored
lady in Little Rock, Arkansas, while her great granddaughter
played at her feet. Sit. Please, sit. O the honor it would be
if one of you would say grace.
[long pause]
Amen! You'd like the peas passed? Help yourselves to ample
portions, for there is more where that came from--the kitchen
of course. How's the duck? Not over-cooked is it? How about
the dressing? I thought y'all might enjoy my husband's
recipe.Coffee or tea anyone? The sweet smell is strawberry
pie warming on the wood stove. Now tell me, how goes the
war? How long have you niggers been flying planes?
I didn't think niggers could fly.
[long silence]
Well, get your black asses back up there and seat yourselves.
Shoot them Nazi bastards out of the sky every chance you
get, y'hear? Y'all always welcome at my table. I hear y'all
eat stuff like cornbread, black-eyed peas, and fried chicken.
My help around here say you niggers drink what y'all call
"Sweet Tea." She's showing me how to mix it properly. Oh!
I hear you boys love sweet potato pie. Be sure to come down
from among the clouds and seat yourselves at my table.
[long pause]
[quick departure]
Emmett Wheatfall, As Clean as a Bone
