Papa died smiling 
Wide as the ring of a bell 
Gone all star white 
Small as a wish in a well 
And Sodom, South Georgia 
Woke like a tree full of bees 
Buried in Christmas 
Bows and a blanket of weeds 

Papa died Sunday and I understood 
All dead white boys say, "God is good" 
White tongues hang out, "God is good" 

Papa died while my 
Girl Lady Edith was born 
Both heads fell like 
Eyes on a crack in the door 
And Sodom, South Georgia 
Slept on an acre of bones 
Slept through Christmas 
Slept like a bucket of snow 

Papa died Sunday and I understood 
All dead white boys say, "God is good" 
White tongues hang out, "God is good"