I can’t breathe

Breathe my son, you’ll be alright...

When I asked for things, my mom said, “breathe”

When I got angry, my mom said, “breathe”

When they took my dad, my mom said, “breathe”

I breathe, and breathe, all my life

For all the stops, frisks and arrests

For all the sorrows and sufferings

For all the toils and tribulations

For all the injustice dwelled on me

I breathe, and breathe, all my life

Breathe no more!!! they yelled

They pinned me down and blocked my breath

A block from where my mom lives

Resist! Resist! they screamed

Do I dare to resist?

Do I care to resist?

Let them take my breath away

“Breathe” my mom, you’ll be alright

Suresh Jayaprasad

May 30, 2020