…and all they wanted to do was kiss,

dance the night

away in some safe, secluded spot

and forget the world, forget the hate

and the day…

and the day

that should have driven by joy,

by finding a love, a sensual kiss

with someone so beautiful

instead turns red, turns violent

and where desire once filled the hall,

where attraction and solidarity

filled the air,

bullets now fly and tears, the sense of insanity

reigns in bitterness and recriminations

and the tears rue the day that Government decreed

a gun has more right to exist

in a fucked up world

than someone who wants to be…to be

themselves.

Dedicated to all who lost their lives at Pulse Night Club in June 2016.

Ian D. Hall 2016