All The learners’ permit scholars Found her so provincial. We, The private-school rebels, Figured her for a narc.

But that fall morning when a small girl, eyes black and wide and searching, (Tongues of flame!) Appeared in the corner of the classroom, her forehead furrowed, like stirred coffee, (Tongues of flame!) Who but we buried our heads in grammar lessons and radical notebook scribbles? (Tongues of flame!) Who flipped her hair and approached, thick with Shelby County syrup: Encantada. ¿Cómo esta?

He walks Through the needling rays of the Summer noontime, Neck craned to the horizon. Sidewalks crumble Under his shuffling feet. His sign reads: REPARATIONS NOW!

In the cool of a distant spring morning, he will pad in front of me, speaking softly in winding sentences, (Tongues of flame!) Among his altars and spires of broken objects, on which weeds and water do their work, (Tongues of flame!) And, trailing off, he will rest his hand on my shoulder, and point at the passing breeze, (Tongues of flame!) And whisper, “Listen. Listen as the Lord passes by.”

The Collar, pinched tight around The rolls of my neck. The wood, Hard, unforgiving, Against my flat back:

We are squirming in the stillness of a strange room. (Tongues of flame!) In the muted Highland Avenue traffic sits a huge white scroll. (Tongues of flame!) Gone is the crooked nervous grin of our boy. His voice stumbles, (Tongues of flame!) Then falls into a rhythm, wide and deep and sweet. They say this is to become a man. (Tongues of flame!) Sweet old Ms. Noles sprung up like a piston, (Tongues of flame!) Her brown wrinkled face, nestled in a huge white hat, pointed to the heavens, (Tongues of flame!) Her open mouth sending forth a rolling stream of secret words, (Tongues of flame!) Her tiny rocking body haloed by the gentle hands of stone-faced men. (Tongues of flame!) And the drums and organ kick in, and the choir lifts its voice, (Tongues of flame!) And I, feeling faint, fall into the arms of an old familiar song. (Tongues of flame!)