All we know about our grandfather,
He may or may not have been in Detroit
Some time during The Great Depression
And that he might have been called Harry.
It’s purported he liked to play the horses.
It is alleged police alleged he did favors
For someone who did favors
For someone who did favors for Black Bill.
My grandfather may or may not have heard
Duke Ellington at the Paradise Theater.
He may or may not have met Joe Misery
Or shook the hand of Charles Lucky…
All we can say about our grandfather,
He was suspected on the grounds
Suspicion incriminates presumption.
All we can say about our grandfather,
He survived among thieves—it is alleged.