I Can't Breathe

I can’t scream, I’m cryin’,  I’m gaspin’,

my heart is thumpin’ like it’s on its last beat.

Get your ugly d---- shoe off my neck

I can’t breathe. I’m gonna’  die!

I keep seeing that video of the policeman

stepping on George Floyd’s neck, I  gasp

at the inhumanity of such an action,

as if he were snuffing out a cigarette,

or squashing a bug, showing disgust

and hatred and even pleasure to be

able to crush a black  human being.

God breathed into each of us the breath

of life that enables us to move, to laugh,

to enjoy the beauty of this earth,

to be part of a family, to have a home.

What right does anyone have to take

away that breath, that precious gift

of life,  No! no!  No matter what he did
he deserves to breathe just like you and me.