"When my father died it hurt, but when Dr. King died…it took me to a whole ‘nother level."
- Lula Joe Williams, on the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Lula Joe Williams was an employee of the SCLC and was present in the office on the last day of Dr. King’s life.


Lula Joe
a poem

When I heard the news
That King was dead
My throat opened
Released a pain
At a God deafening volume
My heart
Billy-club beating broken

My legs
Water hose weak
Wishing for one more walk
One more march
With Martin

One more wave
And confident
Tilt of the fedora
One more
Anything

Sometimes I still
Think of that day
Daydreaming with
Eyes still
Tear gas glazed
How he came into the office
That morning
Tired solemn serious
But sweet enough
To wave goodbye to me
Before Memphis

I would’ve waved back
And maybe gave him a hug
And whispered something like
Well done

Had I known

- poem by Jason Reynolds