Jefferson Davis the Adoptive Father of the Mulatto Jim Limber Dreams He Is Crowned King of the Confederacy

When Richmond is finally                one of the

world’s great capitals I will line the streets

with apple trees                and whenever a gust

of wind sweeps the blossoms from the branches

troops of white petals will rush among the

citizens                and they will be reminded

of the fearful price we                paid for freedom

I will walk with them and be reminded

and have the pleasure of it and be pleased

also by the device                and I will smile

some generations hence the Negro                will

be freed                but his generations will have

tended those trees                and Richmond’s Negroes will

vie for the honor of tending them still

I will make Jim prince of those                who tend the

trees and his sons will be princes                but first

I must coin a title                that signifies

a prince                who can never become a king