***paradise-(Part 2) -Yum Yum Donots Poem by Coach Roth

Part 2

Yum-Yum Donots

Coach picked Maria up at County General…
“I saved a life tonight…
A baby started delivering…
Cord around its neck…
stuck my hand way up inside…
kept it from strangling
‘till a doctor got there.”
“We need to celebrate.”

They walked across to Yum Yum Donots.
Maria was wound tight, an endless stream
of stories, babies, doctors
fueled by a utilitarian energy.

In the middle of fritters and coffee
A black man approached their table
One of the truly homeless
distinguished by swollen feet,
torn sneakers, infected cuts
blackened fingernails.

Coach was reaching for change
when the Korean owner of the shop
charged from the back with a
long wooden pool,
cracking the man upside the head.
Blood trickled down.
“Be cool fool.”
“Told you no bother customers. Get out.”
“Okay man.
You the man.
You got the pole.”

Under the shabby clothes
the remnants of a muscular body
long lost pride
backing away
reluctant to leave money behind,
weighing the options
dazed from the blow
dying to take a swing
at the flour caked donot maker,
thought better of it
went outside to wait.

“I tell them no bother customers.”
“Someone ought to stick
That pole up your…”
“Coach! ” Maria took his hand.
“He still outside. I call police.”

Coach and Maria made to leave…
Took out a fiver for the homeless man
Then helped her into her 79 dollar
Wool coat from J.C. Penney’s
that trimmed her tiny figure
and always excited him…
He brushed her long black hair
From her face and kissed her tenderly.
“I’m proud of you.”
Fatigue set in and her face softened…
“Thanks.”

Outside the black man
Spread eagled against the wall
Patted down by cops.
Seeing his money walking out
Started toward Coach.
“Told you not to move.”
Night sticks out…
Flashing in the light
Beat the knees
Working him helpless to the ground
Jerking in painful spasms
Resulting in more blows.

“Coach do something.”

A year ago, absolutely…
Coach was a doer not a talker
And right was right
Even if it meant a night in jail…
But this was L.A.
A different set of rules…
Coach was just another big white boy
Immune as long as he didn’t take sides…
Following orders was a necessity for blacks
The homeless man had broken the rules,
It would do no good for Coach
To be beaten black also.

He led Maria away…
Tears in his eyes…
Never feeling so helpless in all his life.

(To be Cont.)