Page 84
By Jack Joseph Smith
Right Half Back
Out in the world
Thay thought I took a second for sure
The biggest load I could get,
was even better
than what I was taught
I am sincerely sorry
for so many of you
You can't even try
To be a native son
Original Scan
AI Interpretation
GPT
The speaker contrasts the biggest load they could get with what they were taught, then expresses sorrow for people who cannot even try to be a native son.
The title suggests a position or role but does not settle the meaning of the load or the second. The manuscript provides no specific biographical episode.
Claude
'Right Half Back' begins 'Out in the world / Thay thought I took a second for sure', says 'I am sincerely sorry / for so many of you', and ends 'You can't even try / To be a native son'.
A football title frames pride, regret and belonging; Thay is kept as typed.