I can't Breathe
natalie d bassett 1978 (VA)
I Can't Breathe
I can't breathe when I think about all the hate in our world today I can't breathe
I can't breathe when I bring it home and think about all this hate as it relates to me I am hated because of my skin color, I am hunted as prey I can't breathe.
I can't breathe when I think of all the injustices and inequalities in this world.
I can't breathe when I think that I may not be able to get into the best schools because I am black and may be viewed as not as smart.
I can't breathe when I know that when I go out for a job you will view me differently and I may not even get the job I seek because of what you think you see.
I can't breathe when I think about the fact that when I do get a job that many times I will make less than someone who is white and not black like me I may be passed over for raises and promotions just because of what you think you see.
I can't breathe when I know my brothers and sisters are being gunned down and killed in the streets and I or a family member could be next.
I can't breathe was what poor Mr. Floyd kept saying as his life was snuffed out as he finally realized he was going to die calling out for his mama with his last few exhales her face from Heaven he probably could see.
We can't breathe and we are tired and need to breathe once more.
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Submitted on January 21, 2021
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 1:24 min read
- 7 Views
Quick analysis:
Scheme | A AAXXBBXBX |
---|---|
Characters | 1,287 |
Words | 270 |
Stanzas | 2 |
Stanza Lengths | 1, 9 |
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"I can't Breathe" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 25 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/60757/i-can't-breathe>.
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