Section VII: Life is Fine Summary

"Still Here" (Pg. 123):

The speaker recounts life's troubles and the scars those troubles have left. However, the speaker re-affirms his/her own resilience in the final line: "I'm still here!"

"Me and the Mule" (Pg. 125):

The speaker is defiant in his blackness, comparing himself to a mule that has "been a mule so long / He's forgot about his race." At this point in the speaker's life, he has come to accept himself as he is and is unconcerned about whether or not anyone else does.

"Midnight Dancer" (Pg. 129);

Song in praise of a woman with striking features: "Lips / Sweet as purple dew, / Breasts / like the pillows of all sweet dreams." There is a playful quality about this piece.

"Delinquent" (Pg. 133):

The character "Little Julie" is a rebellious teenager, possibly pregnant, extremely defiant. The last stanza...