I Can’t Breathe

I know what it’s like to have breath blocked

spasms from inside

I don’t know what it’s like to have my breath blocked

by a stick against my throat

I know what it’s like to lose my young father

summer day mid July

I don’t know what it’s like to have him thrown to the pavement, taken from me

in struggle

witnessed by the world 

I know what it’s like to have a son — I have two

I don’t know what it’s like to fear for their lives

and to have my fear mean nothing

I don’t know what it’s like

I can breathe