I Can't Breathe Poem by Uche Nwanze

When you judge me by the colour of my skin, I can't breathe.
When you can't see me as God's creation, I can't breathe.
When you won't take my hand,I can't breathe.
When you treat me like scum, I can't breathe.
When you won't let me lean on your shoulders, I can't breathe.
When you won't take a walk with me. I can't breathe.
When you treat me as a foe, I can't breathe.
When you look at me with disdain, I can't breathe.
When you deny me my right, I can't breathe.
When you treat me as a second class citizen in my own country, I can't breathe.
When you don't treat me with respect, I can't breathe.
When you treat me as a slave, I can't breathe.
When you pay deaf ears to my cry for help, I can't breathe.
When you turn a blind eye to my pain, I can't breathe.
When you leave me to sink and drink in melancholy, I can't breathe.
When you treat me differently from my neighbour because of the colour of his skin, I can't breathe.
When you can't stand me because of the colour of my skin, I can't breathe.
When you refuse to spread the message of love but hate, I can't breathe.