I Remember Baltimore

I remember Baltimore

With it’s store front churches

And bars conveniently located just next door.

“Sammy’s Bear Den”  

Or

“Beanie’s Bugaloo”

Next to the

“Most Righteous All High Being Divinity Of Christ And All Of His Angels Baptist Church”

With the Holy Reverend Brother

Packing a pistol

At the pulpit

Each Sunday.

Every thread on his suit

Could be counted

Into the high thresholds.

His premium-priced cologne

Wasn’t bought 

In that neighborhood.

Every gold tooth in his mouth

While he screamed and hollered and sweated

Was paid for 

By the church.

There were bar-b-que picnics

In the park 

Across the street

In which the congregation

Congregated

And took part 

In pork

And chicken

With a weekly competition

Of bar-b-que sauce

Made by the different members of the flock.

And collard greens cooked in fat

With corn bread

And beans

And white flour pastries from the bakery

Up the street

For desert.

It was an all day affair.

And then many of the same congregation

Would be congregating

At

“Lou Lou’s”
"The Hideaway"

Or  “Comfy’s Corner”

Or “Dexter’s Soft Spot”

Washing their sins

Away

With pilsners and shot glasses.

Sunday tithes here

Were generally more than 10%.