I Can't Breathe - By Lyric Sikkin

Written By: Lyric Sikkin

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Lyric Sikkin's powerful poem "I Can't Breathe" is a poignant entry in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, under the Poetry category. This work delves deep into themes of struggle, identity, and resilience, capturing the essence of human endurance against life's adversities. With vivid imagery and a compelling narrative, Sikkin draws readers into a world where every step and tick of time carries profound significance.

About the Work

In "I Can't Breathe," Lyric Sikkin masterfully crafts a narrative that balances between despair and hope. The poem's rhythm mimics the relentless passage of time, underscoring a sense of urgency and vulnerability. Through evocative imagery and raw emotion, Sikkin explores the journey of growing up under harsh circumstances, reflecting on themes of societal pressure, isolation, and the quest for identity.

I Can't Breathe

Original Submission by Lyric Sikkin

I Can’t Breathe

By Lyric Sikkin

I was born a child,

But it was something I never got to be,

For a boy without a father,

Is a man for all to see.

Trudging along hot rocks,

Water slipping into the holes of my socks,

Squeaking and creaking;

My knees beg me to stop,

To drop,

Flop down,

And sleep for a while;

But my ankles are swollen and sore,

Sweat dripping down to the floor,

Snow rising up some more,

My core sore and my calves rigid;

This journey would be halved if I weren't so small and frigid.

Step.

Tick.

My time is running low,

Step.

Tick.

I race towards the luminescent glow,

Step,

Like a mosquito reaping with sick,

Click.

The warmth envelopes me

But

There's no time to just be,

I need to hurry,

Step

Tick;

Hurry,

Step,

Tick.

What a waist of time;

Your late again,

You won’t amount to anything anyway,

Best you stay away,

You didn’t even bring a pen.

Wake up!

Asleep again,

What time do you go to bed,

Look at your head,

Your rancid,

Hid beneath that hoodie,

Your life's a dead end,

No wonder you have no friends.

Red,

Raw,

Aching;

Now accused of taking,

Six months of pain;

All goes down the drain,

Two bucks an hour,

Only to be stolen from the one in power,

Saw him take it from the til,

A hundred crisp bills,

But I need the funds,

And he doesn't so I must be the devils son.

Got off at regular time,

Turns out I worked for not even a dime;

Its dark and im sleepy,

So I turn down the path most creepy;

Fastest way home,

Scary all alone;

The time is ticking,

Step

Tick.

Head down,

I don't dare look around,

Step

Tick.

Needles crunch beneath my shoe,

An image I knew well,

Step,

Kick.

The ground is hard beneath me,

Hands penetrated by a shard,

Step-

They run past me,

Leaving me to take the blast,

Tick;

Cold metal bound round,

I can’t see and I hear no sound;

The kick to my head comes fast,

I wonder how long this will last;

Step

Tick.

A blow to my side,

Hits coming in like the tide,

Constant motion,

A familiar notion,

Step,

Click.

My hands fall free to my side,

Through buzzing I hear their tires glide,

Sirens wail,

I've escaped jail;

I hobble home,

Step;

Oh wait,

They’re awake,

Step,

How long will it take,

This Time;

Step,

Will he make me a man,

This time.

Dragging up the stairs,

Brain lagging I forget all that is there,

My pants snare as I fall to the floor,

Too much in the way of the door;

I crawl to my mattress,

Upon the flat mess of it all,

I stare at my punctured wall,

Until all is Cured;

My heavy eyes secured.

Ma waits for me,

Tells me I've grown to look just like my pa,

A man I never saw;

Stolen by the law,

But maybe now I am finally a man outside,

As I have contrived within,

I've no hairs on my chin,

Im way too thin ,

But I've got tough skin,

I've had my head spin a hundred miles a second,

Files dislodging and flying round,

I drown on the information,

Mind never sound,

Dodging milestones at miles a minute,

Extending my bones so that I can be above,

Clear of the weeds,

My pleads to be free;

Answered.

There's a rock in my shoe,

Holes where there is no longer any glue,

Step.

Tick.

Into the air Im suddenly threw,

Laying in the snow-

I know I've got company,

Step,

Kick.

Im hit low,

Each blow adding to my purple coat,

A foot presses down on my throat;

I can't breathe!

Im scared,

I wreathe beneath the pressure,

The eyes all stare,

No one cares;

Fresher wounds being made,

As I lay afraid.

Step

Kick;

Tick

Kick;

Tick,

Ring!

His walkie sings,

He steps off;

I cough,

My throat chalky;

I’d survived this time,

And so I climb to my feet,

And head off down the street.

Life all wrong,

I turn to the song of the saints;

Stripped from my constraints,

Equipped with hope,

But then back down I go,

Down that god forsaken slope.

Tick,

Step.

Taken into a back room,

The air hot;

He resumes,

If only I'd fought,

But this is holy;

Step,

Tick.

Breath down my neck,

I drown on my knees,

I can't breathe,

Sunk in between my teeth,

All gone unseen;

Tick.

I feel sick,

Tick.

Please be quick,

Tick.

My pleas go unanswered,

Tick.

This seems to be standard,

My worth slandered as well as my name.

I'd never had a walk of so much shame,

My throat thick with exertion,

Would I ever be the same?

Afflicted I return home;

Standing in the kitchen, alone,

Metal pressed in my hand,

Throat dry as sand,

Air ways restricted;

Hit the mark,

My skin isn’t stark,

One more,

And its the last i’ll ever be soar,

It’ll be quick,

But I can't, so I drop it into the sink.

Back from the bar,

He never goes far,

Anger in his eyes,

My sweat dries;

Step,

Tick.

Here we go again,

Step,

Kick.

But then what's that?

Tick,

Kick.

Cold metal,

Step,

Tick.

Back to the wall,

He doesn’t stall,

Step,

Prick.

In it goes,

Pressing my throat closed,

He makes it quick,

Step,

Kick.

I hit the pavement,

Left with his engravement,

I can't breathe!

Watch my blood leave,

Pooling beneath me,

As I lay in pain,

My neck a drain.

Tick.

Times running out,

Tick.

I try to shout out,

Tick.

They walk past.

Tick,

My visions going and fast,

Tick.

How long is this going to last,

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

Beep!

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar invites writers worldwide to showcase their talents in poetry and creative writing. This prestigious event celebrates diverse voices and unique perspectives, providing a platform for both emerging and established writers to share their work with a global audience. Participants engage with a rich tapestry of themes, contributing to the vibrant literary landscape.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Lyric Sikkin for sharing "I Can't Breathe" with the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This engaging and thought-provoking piece is a testament to Sikkin's talent and insight. We appreciate their contribution and look forward to seeing more of their impactful work in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.