Redline

Glen Rock had a circle round it

Paterson for blacks, Glen Rock for whites

We could never explain

No blacks allowed here but never said aloud

The smell of cookies in between

The Nabisco plant blurring the line down on Route 17

Happy little town without complain

A stone’s throw from strife and discontent

Just kids unaware

The smell of baked cookies served up as plates for the clueless

But we knew when we played each fall

No blacks for Glen Rock, all blacks for Paterson

Fancy uniforms for Glen Rock, beat up ones for Paterson

Fancy scoreboard for Glen Rock, dirt with lines between the buildings for Paterson

But never said aloud, only when we glanced at each other and then down at our shoes

Unwritten rules for a different time

Wonder if it’s changed today

Happy little town without complain

A stone’s throw from strife and discontent