
A mural of George Floyd has been painted at the Cup Foods site where Floyd was arrested by Minneapolis police and later died in custody. Judy Griesedieck for MPR News
There have been a few times
These past months
When I couldn’t breathe.
Panic attacks as I thought
About life in a pandemic.
What would happen to me,
My family?
Would I make it through
To the other side
And see and finally breathe?
I made it through.
I can breathe.
Today.
But he said he couldn’t breathe
The panic and fear
Were clear.
In his cry, in his voice.
Life was slipping, not by choice.
Restrained, cuffed
Bended knee pressed
Into his neck.
He said he couldn’t breathe.
Violent power of the knee.
He said he couldn’t breathe.
And then he lost his breath.
Forever.
I can’t believe what I’ve seen.
I’m sorry, I ask forgiveness
For all we’ve done
To create a system
That takes your life
Your dignity, your soul
And doesn’t allow you to breathe.
You deserved to breathe.
You deserved to see.
I’m sorry you can no longer breathe.
#ICantBreathe
#GeorgeFloyd