I can’t breathe

George Floyd cried out

As the air left his lungs

And his heart began to slow

I can’t breathe

They pressed harder

As his bones began to ache

And his face scratched against the concrete

I can’t breathe

We need to cry out

As our brothers and sisters on Earth are killed

Followed

Arrested

Shunned

Starved

Impoverished

Incarcerated

Belittled

Ignored

Oppressed

Hated

I can’t breathe

Take my hand, friend

I can’t breathe

Take a stand, friend

I can’t breathe

We can change this together

I can’t breathe

It won’t take forever

I can’t breathe

We are one

I can’t breathe

Put down the gun

I can’t breathe

My heart breaks

I can’t breathe

What will it take?

I can’t breathe

Why do we stand quiet?

The change is within our control

Why do we not petition

March

Scream

Rage

Post

Hug the loved ones of the fallen

Educate

Rebel

I can’t breathe

My heart hurts

I feel shame for the oppressors

Anger

Sadness

Pity for their ignorance

Fear for their progeny

Ourselves

More death

More oppression

More ignorance

And hate

I can’t breathe

Take my hand, friend

I can’t breathe

Take a stand, friend

I can’t breathe

We can change this together

I can’t breathe

It won’t take forever

I can’t breathe

We are one

I can’t breathe

Put down the gun

I can’t breathe

My heart breaks

I can’t breathe

What will it take?

I can’t breathe

Stand up to the fight

Say their names

This is not right

I can’t breathe

For those killed for the color of their skin

Being in the “wrong place”

The “wrong time”

The “wrong lineage”

I can’t breathe

Any longer

I can’t cry any harder

I can’t turn a blind eye

I can’t just watch them die

I can’t breathe

Just the sight of Skittles or a hooded sweatshirt

And I think of the death of another innocent soul

Trayvon Martin should still be here

To die at the hands of a racist madman, not meant to be his role

I can’t breathe

When will the earth, purge the land from hate

I need peace and love now—I cannot sit and wait

The terror people of color must feel

Just living life; it’s so real

I can’t breathe

Take my hand, friend

I can’t breathe

Take a stand, friend

I can’t breathe

We can change this together

I can’t breathe

It won’t take forever

I can’t breathe

We are one

I can’t breathe

Put down the gun

I can’t breathe

My heart breaks

I can’t breathe

What will it take?

~