Black

standing outside The Foundation Tiki Bar in Milwaukee
i light a cigarette and he asks me if i have another
i tell him no because i'm cheap
and selfish

a squad car pulls up and two officers jump out
tell him to put his hands up
frisk him without any explanation
and he does as he is told
quietly
compliantly 

when they find nothing they start back to their squad car
but not before looking at me with a friendly smile
and telling me to have a nice night

they drive off looking for another black man
he doesn't fuss
he doesn't complain
he doesn't say a word

"shit, man
i lied
here's a cigarette"

he smiles
understands
and thanks me

"ya know,"
he says
"that mighta gone a lot worse if you wasn't right here"

and
i believe him