I Can’t Breathe

In the years preceding the civil war

A time in our history almost too hard to imagine

And in the Abe Lincoln days following the so-called end to slavery in this country

It was tough to breathe

The air was thick, full of uncertainty, laced with fear

The Kennedy ushered civil rights movement introduced a taste of freedom

But the air was anything but fresh and clean

Too many non-believers—too many not willing to accept this idea of equality among all people

Rosa held her breath and her position on a bus where the air and the tires were not moving

It was tough for her to breathe but that gal was not going anywhere

She would have held her breath forever so that others after her, may breathe the fresh air of justice and freedom

John Lewis and so many brave companions held each other’s hands and hearts walking the Selma bridge

They were searching for the freedom promised, the freedom so rightly earned

They were breathing an air of change, breathing an air of courage, breathing an air of commitment

Dr. Martin Luther King used his every breath to tell of his dreams that historic day in Washington

That man could breathe and exhale air like no other before or after

And the non-believers—those unwilling souls not willing to accept equality among all people

Took Dr. King’s dream and last breath that day in Memphis

And now, fifty-two years after Dr. King’s last breath was extinguished

people of all races are still fighting for air, still fighting for justice, still dreaming of freedom

Still hopeful that change is around the bend

When will we hear and feel their gasps of air?

What will it take for mankind to see and hear the voices of injustice?

How many more breaths of air must be breathed in desperation and false hope?

How many more lives must be lost before we can all breathe the same air

In peace and comfort and in equal portions?

Ronald J. Unterreiner