Da
The narrator's father from Hayes' poem "The Golden Shovel," Da has a mystic aura about him. He takes his young son to a bar and promises to leave his son everything after he dies.
Big Trend
The subject of the poem "Ode to Big Trend." Big Trend is the narrator's partner and is the man responsible for making sure the boss pays all his African American workers. Big Trends is described as intimidating; however, he defies negative stereotypes by being literate.
Stick
The narrator's reckless friend in "Stick Elegy." Stick breaks his ankle by jumping into the water below Yellow Bridge even though others had successfully made the jump unharmed. This causes a slew of bad luck for him.
Orpheus
Orpheus is a figure from Greek mythology who was known for being able to charm al things, including Hades, the God of the dead, with his music.
Miss Geneva
A woman the narrator is interested in from the poem "Cocktails with Orpheus." Miss Geneva is recently divorced and owns a gun.
