For George
Feelings from watching the video of his death
Later this month will mark two years since the killing of George Floyd. Murder on livestream is an unbearable burden, an irrevocable memory to the end of a man's life. This poem was written after I watched the video.
This ain’t no dream,
Nightmare for a black man
I can’t breathe.
They say we all right
Don’t matter now
I can’t breathe.
One way street
Two fists of hate,
I can’t breathe.
Man says relax
I know I can’t
I can’t breathe.
Face first concrete
Twist of fury
I can’t breathe.
I’m invisible
Until I’m not
I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe.
I can’t breathe.
I...can’t...
We can’t... breathe.
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I Blame You, Moon
Empress of twilight and beyond, you’ve outstayed your welcome. Come alone, I asked you, yet you brought the night– libertine, fluid, and turbulent, swirling eddies through my voids, which were not for its blackness to fill. My silences were not your invitations.
By Teresa Rentonabout 14 hours ago in Poets
Comments (11)
Phew. This was truly disturbing to re-live, but you wrote it so well, Dana, and it should never be forgotten. The end was incredibly powerful.
Wow! This brought the haunting image right back. And rightfully so. This senseless act should never be forgotten. I'm glad Paul shared this. Thank you.
Powerful 😳
George Floyd & the "Black Lives Matter" movement are the reason I'm no longer welcome preaching at three congregations in the area. (Okay, it's not their fault specifically, it's that I had the audacity to say on Sunday morning from the pulpit that Black lives really do matter, not only but also.) In fairness to the congregations, most of the people were very appreciative of my remarks & horrified by the reaction of a very few. But in rural congregations, most can't afford to offend even a few, especially if they wield a lot of money. This was incredibly powerful, Dana. Thanks for sharing it with us. You have left me breathless--in honor of George & so many others.
This is so very heartbreaking, I love and hate how raw it is, if that makes sense. Also meant to comment on this before including it in my piece. I'm acting like a novice this week clearly lol! Anyway, beautifully done!
I'd missed this one. Very rightly disturbing, Dana. Well done.
Profound & powerful! Well done!
😞
❤️💯💥Loudly Written📝😉❗
Wow. That's powerful.
I can't believe I haven't read this one before. Absolutely took my breath away ❤️ This line "I'm invisible, Until I'm not" - Wow. Great job