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Just Can’t Breathe Janet Kuypers 12/14/10 in memory of my Uncle Pete you will be missed over the years with all of our problems I’ve felt like I’ve been drowning and when I’ve felt like we’ve been in the clear life began suffocating me I know this sounds selfish but I just can’t take this anymore I just can’t breathe I’ve served my country led a good life, my family loves me but these demons tell me it’s time to go this torment follows me wherever I go this pain called life ages me I wheeze, fall down on one knee I need to take a nap but I’m afraid to fall asleep that’s when I’m vulnerable will I gasp for air when you collapse my lung will I feel my chest cave in or will I know that you’re right and know this is my time and just say farewell in my sleep Copyright © 2010 Janet Kuypers. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission.

Watch this YouTube video listen: (:59) read from the book Living in a Big World, live 12/14/10, live at the Café in Chicago

Watch this YouTube video of the intro and the poems “Packing”, “Just Can’t Breathe” and “Tribal Scream” read live 12/14/10 from the open mic at the Café in Chicago

Listen (1:19, 07/03/11) Or watch the YouTube video Live in Chicago at the Café

See feature-length YouTube video 07/05/11 of Janet Kuypers performing her poetry @ Chicago’s the Café

Watch this YouTube video of the intro to the 07/05/11 open mic at the Café in Chicago, with poems and her Close Cover Before Striking poems