This is a school
I do not know yet.
In this poignant quote, taken from the first half of the poem, wherein Hayes reflects upon his childhood, the narrator realizes that he, as a young child, did not realize how much he had left to learn about the world. As he is describing the lean men and approach-less women in the bar his father has brought him to, the adult narrator (which is representative of Hayes, himself) realizes just how little he knew about this gritty world of alcohol, abuse, and brokenness. This “school” that Hayes refers to represents the worries, experiences, and realities of adult life. He does not yet understand why the men drink, nor why the women seem so broken. This school that Hayes does not yet know is therefore the school of life.
But I'd watched him tour the used bookstore
In town and seen him napping so I knew he held more
Than power in those hands.
This quotation captures the admiration and adoration the narrator feels for Big Trend. Here, the narrator references the stereotype that black people cannot read or cannot read well. He explains that he had seen Big Trend, who was so often known for his physical stature and physical strength, touring the local bookstores. The narrator suggests here that Big Trend is far more than a physical force to be reckoned with—he is also an intellectual force. This, he argues, makes Big Trend far more powerful than anyone would likely give him credit for. In short, the narrator uses this quotation to share that Big Trend was not only physically strong, but intellectually strong; his power was not limited by his physical capabilities. This dynamic power, Hayes concludes, is ultimately what would allow Big Trend to fight for the rights of black Americans.
Born lost and cool-
er than heartache. What we
know is what we know.
This quotation, which is taken from the second part of Hayes’ poem, reflects upon the heartache and tribulations that black men and women face each day. Here, Hayes sees himself represented in the world and people around him. He suggests that he and other black individuals are born into this world lost; with society working against their very existence. He suggests that all they can do is work within the social constructs that they know. Therefore, this quotation captures the sentiment that Hayes may have felt during his adult life. He confronts the fact that being born a black man in the United States is a struggle in and of itself. This struggle includes a sense of only being armed with the knowledge that is readily available to them.
We stole my Uncle Windchime's minivan, penned a simple
ballad about the drag of lovelessness and drove the end
of the chitlin' circuit to a joint skinny […]
This quotation captures Hayes’ efforts to pay tribute to the founders and pioneers of folk music. Here, the narrator pays tribute to the unique and ruff-and-tumble lifestyles of folk musicians. He explains that many musicians were forced to travel in cars and vans, wherein they would use their travels to pen their simple, yet meaningful songs. This quotation contains several folk-specific references to the unique dialect that would often be used by folk singers, including “Uncle Windchime,” “chitlin’” and “joint skinny.” The use of this specific verbiage serves as Hayes’ respect for and homage to the writers of this unique and under-appreciated music form.
