Breathing While Black (The Sonnet)

White folks think before going to work,
Hope I don’t run into traffic on the way.
Black folks think before going to work,
Hope I don't get shot and make it safe.
White folks think before going to jog,
Hope the park is not much crowded.
Black folks think before going to jog,
Hope I don't run into someone bigoted.
White folks teach their kids before school,
Don't you dare talk to strangers.
Black folks beg their kids on knees,
Don't act smart when approached by coppers.
Whites can dream of being big and creative.
All we blacks can dream of is being able to live.