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I’ve said it before - but I believe it bears repeating.....

ISHMAEL REED! (America’s only *real* Black Poet)

“I Am A Cowboy In The Boat Of Ra”
(ca. 1969)
By Ishmael Reed

I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra,
sidewinders in the saloons of fools
bit my forehead__like____O
the untrustworthiness of Egyptologists
Who do not know their trips. Who was that
dog-faced man? they asked, the day I rode
from town.

School marms with halitosis cannot see
the Nefertiti fake chipped on the run by slick
germans, the hawk behind Sonny Rollins’ head or
the ritual beard of his axe; a longhorn winding
its bells thru the Field of Reeds.

I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. I bedded
down with Isis, Lady of The Boogaloo, dove
deep down in her horny, stuck up her Wells-Far-ago
in daring midday get away. “Start grabbing the
blue,” i said from top of my double crown.

I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. Ezzard Charles
of the Chisholm Trail. Took up the bass but they
blew off my thumb. Alchemist in ringmanship but a
sucker for the right cross.

I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. Vamoosed from
the temple i bide my time. The price on the wanted
poster was a-going down, outlaw alias copped my stance
and moody greenhorns were making me dance; while my mouth’s
shooting iron got its chambers jammed.

I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. Boning-up in
the ol’ West i bide my time. You should see
me pick off these tin cans whippersnappers. I
write the motown long plays for the comeback of
Osiris. Make them up when stars stare at sleeping
steer out here near the campfire. Women arrive
on the backs of goats and throw themselves on
my Bowie.

I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra. Lord of the lash,
the Loup Garou Kid. Half breed son of Pisces and
Aquarius. I hold the souls of men in my pot. I do
the dirty boogie with scorpions. I make the bulls
keep still and was the first swinger to grape the taste.

I am a cowboy in his boat. Pope Joan of the
Ptah Ra. C/mere a minute willya doll?
Be a good girl and
Bring me my Buffalo horn of black powder
Bring me my headdress of black feathers
Bring me my bones of Ju-Ju snake
Go get my eyelids of red paint.
Hand me my shadow
I’m going into town after Set

I am a cowboy in the boat of Ra
look out Set____here i come Set
to get Set____to sunset Set
to unseat Set____to Set down Set
___________________usurper of the Royal couch
___________________imposter RAdio of Moses’ bush
___________________party pooper O hater of dance
___________________vampire outlaw of the milky way