They danced. Virginia Reel, I heard it said.

White girls in pink pinafores, Mayday ball.

Back and forth, round and round, the dancers played

A game of remember when. They recall

A different time, when “proper” was the word

That defined society, a coward’s thought.

But “proper” wasn’t what some others heard.

It meant “Them, not us.” As they justly sought

To live on level playing fields, they met

Resistance at every turn. “You can’t drink

Water here; you can’t ride this bus; take your set

Somewhere else. Don’t tell me what you think!”

They danced Virginia Reels to honor, what?

Don’t let MY young participate in that.