Crowns and Garlands

Make a garland of Leontynes and Lenas
And hang it about your neek
     Like a lei.
Make a crown of Sammys, Sidneys, Harrys,
Plus Cassius Mohammed Ali Clay.
Put their laurels on your brow
     Today—
Then before you can walk
To the neighborhood corner,
Watch them droop, wilt, fade
     Away.
Though worn in glory on my head,
They do not last a day—
     Not one—
Nor take the place of meat or bread
Or rent that I must pay.
Great names for crowns and garlands!
     Yeah!
I love Ralph Bunche—
But I can't eat him for lunch.