Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CHANGE, by JESSIE HOSFORD
First Line: My white hand, scarred and rough with scouring
Last Line: "in the pocket of my cloak."

My white hand, scarred and rough with scouring
Floors where black feet walked all day,
Closed upon the coin she gave me
From her silken pocket, gay.

She was thinking how her mother
Scrubbed the floors for the white folk.
My thought was, "I have my supper
In the pocket of my cloak."