I Can’t Breathe
By Christine G. Clark
“I can’t breathe.”
Is it COVID-19 or a knee on your neck?
“I can’t breathe.”
Are your lungs filled with fluid and shutting down despite the ventilator breathing for you?
Or is that knee on your neck shutting down your respiratory system?
“I can’t breathe.”
Are you choked with wracking sobs because of the state of our country today?
Or are you mourning for yet another Black life cut short?
“I can’t breathe.”
Are you gasping yet at the ugliness in our land?
Or are you gasping because once again the life has been choked from a Black man—for being Black?
“I can’t breathe.”
Are you holding your breath waiting for the world to change?
Or are you holding your breath hoping the white person who is threatened by your skin will pass on by?
“I can’t breathe.”
Inhale, exhale, pray for change.
Inhale, exhale, make the change.
