I Can't Breathe (Part 2) Poem by Uche Nwanze

When my votes don't count, I can't breathe.
When you belong to your kin and not to every citizen, I can't breathe.
When I can't sleep with my eyes closed, I can't breathe.
When my little daughter is afraid to go to school, I can't breathe.
When my sister is a prey in the hands of sexual predators, I can't breathe.
When those who steal our commonwealth are walking free, I can't breathe.
When you borrow the future of my children. I can't breathe.
When you don't respect the rule of law, I can't breathe.
When I don't have power in my house, I can't breathe.
When our roads are a death trap, I can't breathe.
When our hospitals are deathbeds, I can't breathe.
When only your kith and kin are first class citizens, I can't breathe.
When our farmlands are no longer save, I can't breathe.
When my children go to bed hungry when her nation is blessed with abundance of riches, I can't breathe.
When I can't cry or speak out in my country, I can't breathe.
When you judge me because of my language, I can't breathe.
When the same old thieves when we were children are still our rulers, I can't breathe.
When the leaders of tomorrow are not given a chance to lead, I can't breathe.
When justice is only for sale to the highest merchant, I can't breathe.
When the change you promised is no different from the virus you promised to fight, I can't breathe.