George Floyd - A Poem

This poem is by Michelle Lorenz shared by Professor Iyiola Solanke.

Handcuffed.
Face Down.
Knee on his neck.
They did nothing.

He called the officer "Sir."
They did nothing.

He begged for his life.
He begged for water.
He begged for mercy.
They did nothing.

His nose bled.
His body trembled.
He lost control of his bladder.
They did nothing.

He cried out, "I can't breathe."
They did nothing.

Twelve more times.

"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."
"I can't breathe."

They did nothing.

One last time, he gasped, "I can't breathe."
They did nothing.

He lost consciousness.
They did nothing.

An EMT demanded they check his pulse.
Sixteen times.
She knew.
They did nothing.

Deprived of oxygen.
His organs screaming.
His brain frantic.
They did nothing.

They watched George Floyd die.
His life fading.
A slow death.
They did nothing.

For eight agonizing minutes.
Four officers watched.

A knee on his neck.
A lynching on the ground.
They did nothing.

He cried out for his Mom.
A grown man.
She gave him life.
He feared joining her in death.
And still they did nothing.

A black man.
Unarmed.
Murdered.
And still, they've done nothing.

Probable Cause exists.
A Double Standard exists.

The officers should be arrested.
And yet... still... they've done nothing.

This is the picture of George with his mother.
May they both rest in peace.

May justice be served.
Pray they do something.