—

again

i see hate, violent suggestion

that we are less

less pure, less whole

—

and we aren't whole

a gaping wound in a community

we want closure

for lives lost

for wounds inflicted

physical, emotional

verbal beatings and gunshots

—

stand tall, drape our flag like a cape

like a target painted on our back

take aim

don't fire, we pray, don't –

but they do, oh they do

—

how dare we demand equality

how dare we demand safety

to be ourselves in a world that hates us

tries to hurt us, to smother us in darkness

yet we shine bright, glimmer with hope

tomorrow brings a new day

—

we want freedom

to shrug off the weight of souls lost

to hold them, to raise them up

look! look at what you've done

a desperate cry: remember us

we are, we are

we live in defiance

—

we defy you, we keep our heads high

with tears streaming down our faces

do not forget

do not let this happen again

—