Funom Makama Poet Rhyme

I Can'T Breathe

I can’t breathe,
variety is a spice at risk of facing the ban
the neck is pressed by the knee to show the superior one
yet our organs are complete and we bare the same name-Dan.

I can’t breathe,
I’m forced to marry vices as their notorious wife
two meters around me, there should always be a knife
because the sun is white, but I give colour to life.

I can’t breathe,
even in beauty, a mate sees me as bad art
he smells the rose and subjects me to inhale his fart
positioning my image to play his wild dart.

I can’t breathe,
in a bus for all, I’m avoided like decayed meat
I grab a space and pollute the nearest empty seat
eyes staring at me from souls ready to beat.

We can’t breathe,
can anything good come out of the club of peasants?
the best we can get is the glory of an assistant
the intent to always deny us our goal is blatant.

We can’t breathe,
they block the fantasies to show just poverty
their trade assumes, we are still their property
b’cos what is less than a centimeter gives them sovereignty.

We can’t breathe,
if they continue to steal this power.
We can’t breathe,
if they continue to keep us lower.

I can’t breathe
I just can’t breathe,
please let me breathe
b’cos I still can’t breathe.

For the poetry contest “I can’t breathe”
Sponsored by Richard Lamoureux,
Published on the 8th of June. 2020.

Placement: 2nd Position [14th. June. 2020]

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V. Deepa July 1, 2020 at 5:34 AM This is brilliantly woven piece.:-) Was suffocating as I read. Keep doing great works like this Sir. Best wishes from Deepa:-) Funom Makama July 17, 2020 at 6:25 AM Thank you so much V. Deepa

Darlene De Beaulieu June 28, 2020 at 2:41 PM Hello Funom , i do hoepe tha\t you win the contest. life should not be like this. Everyone should get along. Enjoy your day my friend. Funom Makama June 30, 2020 at 5:32 PM Thank you so much Darlene.. I came 2nd in the contest.. You are right.

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart June 26, 2020 at 1:18 PM I found it difficult to breathe reading this. So well written Funom; so affecting. Congratulations for your win in the contest and being on the best new poems list. Warm hugs always, mo. xomo

Malabika Ray Choudhury June 16, 2020 at 5:20 PM Dear Poet, Congratulations on your win, you deserve it! Your powerful voice shone in this poem. Hope to read more of your excellent work. Best wishes, Mala Funom Makama June 20, 2020 at 7:18 PM thank you so much Malabika Ray

Jennifer Proxenos June 16, 2020 at 1:29 PM A wonderful poem and a wonderful win Funom - Your description of why you can't breath is vividly expressed - well done my friend. Blessings, Jennifer. Funom Makama June 16, 2020 at 2:55 PM Thank you so much Jennifer for your insightful and encouraging words.

Tom Cunningham June 15, 2020 at 6:05 PM Powerful verse Funom, there is no place for racism of any kind, sadly some have beliefs that belong in the dark ages. Governments must do more to combat it, talking is useless unless it's backed up with positive action. Congrats on your well deserved win in Richards contest. Tom Funom Makama June 16, 2020 at 2:54 PM Thank you so much Tom... There is no better way you would have said this. I hope Humanity gets better.

Krish Radhakrishna June 15, 2020 at 4:01 PM What is less than centimetre gives them sovereignty! Excellent line and yes, the injustice that has been meted out is a horror that does not seem to end! It has been given a new life in the last 4 years! Fortunately there are more good people in this world than bad ones! Funom Makama June 16, 2020 at 2:53 PM Thank you so much Krish, there are definitely more good people in the world and that is why it still stands. I hope humanity gets better after the great challenges of the year 2020. thank you so much for visiting my page

John Watt June 15, 2020 at 3:32 PM Funom, you make many great points, and using the "I Can't Breathe" to tie in both recent tragic events and the suffocation of being treated less than equal by anybody. I am learning much from reading through the winners of the contest, I am so glad you entered. Thank you, my friend ~ John Funom Makama June 16, 2020 at 2:52 PM Thank you so much John Watt... This was hurriedly written to meet up with the contest. I am glad it came out quite good.

Richard Lamoureux June 14, 2020 at 11:27 AM Your voice soars in this piece. Thanks for entering my contest. Worthy of several reads. Congrats. Blessings Rick. Funom Makama June 15, 2020 at 5:58 AM Thank you so much Rick for the high placement. I am glad you enjoyed it (this means a lot to me). Thank you once again.

Paghunda Zahid June 13, 2020 at 8:25 PM Good one... Good luck Funom Makama June 15, 2020 at 5:57 AM Thank you so much Paghunda Zahid.. I really appreciate your kind words.

Jennifer Proxenos June 13, 2020 at 10:27 AM I am sure Richard will love this poem - fantastic awesome and so, so true, but according to the old testament an eye for an eye which has come to pass. Prayers and blessings brother for we are all brothers and sisters on planet earth! Jennifer. Funom Makama June 15, 2020 at 5:57 AM Yes, he obviously did. Thank you so much Jennifer for your encouraging words

Lindsay Laurie June 11, 2020 at 10:47 PM Hello Funom … the catalyst behind you writing this poem makes it all the more powerful. What I witnessed on TV certainly had me holding my breath - thank you Funom - Lindsay Funom Makama June 15, 2020 at 5:56 AM Yes Lindsay Laurie, it's unfortunate that in the year 2020, we still are talking about racism. Thank you so much for your comment

Sandra Adams June 10, 2020 at 8:28 PM very powerful writing with great use of imagery... not being able to breathe is an awful feeling... this one lingers... great penning, best wishes in the contest! hugs Funom Makama June 11, 2020 at 10:19 AM Thank you so much Sandra Adams... Your words are amazing and true.

Besma Riabi Dziri June 10, 2020 at 4:52 PM Humanity can't breathe, as there are still infected evil hearts.. narrow minds.. blind souls.. that render life a haunting nightmare.. a degrading existence.. a burning hell! Humanity can't breathe as there is no healing from hate and grudge and from a shameful past! I can't breathe as Humanity is bleeding and crying to be saved.. You breathe dignified words, Funom! A heartfelt great poetry! So much appreciated the beauty and depth of your call! My deepest regards and blessings. Funom Makama June 11, 2020 at 10:18 AM Wow! This is powerful, powerful, soooooooo powerful. I love this poem of yours. Thank you very much for adding such value to my page. It is amazing and I hope the world not only heal, but as well change for the better. Thank you very much once again.

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders June 9, 2020 at 7:21 PM This is more than powerful, Funom. This is honest words from the depths of your soul! Every life is God's creation with purpose and meaning. Finally, people are saying, No more! I feel a change coming and I pray I'm right. Blessings to you, Rhonda xx Funom Makama June 11, 2020 at 10:17 AM Surely Rhonda Johnson Saunders... Every Life matter, both to Humanity and to God.. These ills must surely stop and this is not limited to racism, Tribalism, Nepotism, Ethnic cleansing, religious fundermentalism and fanatism (all ravaging Africa) must stop too. Thank you very much for your encouraging comment.

Christopher Flaherty June 9, 2020 at 5:14 PM Breath = Life Nice Funom Good luck Funom Makama June 11, 2020 at 10:13 AM Thank you so much Christopher Flaherty...

Malabika Ray Choudhury June 9, 2020 at 8:39 AM Powerful message! And you have delivered it with passion. Hope a lot of people read your poem. Great poem! Best wishes, my friend. Funom Makama June 11, 2020 at 10:12 AM Thank you so much Malabika Ray Choudhury... I hope the world heals..

Kim Rodrigues June 9, 2020 at 5:41 AM I love the imagery! Strong and foul! I feel the pain! We must embrace our fellowman. This is a fave for me! You have aptly described, distinctly poetic not just a diatribe. I could say so much my friend! I love you, my friend! Hugs...Kim Funom Makama June 11, 2020 at 10:12 AM Thank you so much Kim Rodrigues... Racism is just one of the ills ravaging the world right now. I hope for a complete global healing..

Kai Michael Neumann June 9, 2020 at 3:27 AM Very strong message. Humanity on life support. Kind wishes, Kai Funom Makama June 11, 2020 at 10:11 AM Surely, Humanity is in Life support. Thank you so much for your comment Kai Michael neumann

Jan Allison June 9, 2020 at 3:06 AM Powerfully penned Funom..the riots following George's death have shown how much prejudice there is still in the world- Today on our little Island there is a black lives matter protest - based on our population demographics it will be a quiet demonstration... but showing support that no matter our skin colour all lives matter:-) keep on breathing out your messages through your words and you will make a difference:-) hugs Jan xx Funom Makama June 11, 2020 at 10:10 AM The difference is less than 1cm, but still brings a lot of difference and chaos... Thank you so much for the comment

Janice Canerdy June 8, 2020 at 9:05 PM Funom, I'm praying very fervently that the disease of systemic racism will be defeated. Some racists won't even admit that's what they ARE. Your poem is gut-wrenchingly emotional and vividly descriptive. Janice Funom Makama June 8, 2020 at 9:51 PM Thank you so much Janice, I really appreciate it.