Thoughts On Orlando

Formerly titled - See Me. Tragedy inspired me to write. I had a wealth of ideas in my phone I tried to mesh them together in a cohesive thought. Hopefully it came out ok. Hope you enjoy.

So oddly enough, as I sit and listen to Linkin Park,

The opening lines came and suddenly a spark.

It starts with one thing, I don't know why,

It doesn't even matter how hard you try.

That really seemed to resonate with me,

Especially given the wake of the news lately.

Fifty people dead in one of the worst attacks,

Really makes you want to just take a step back.

I'm tired of hearing of the brutality,

people shamed or killed over their sexuality.

When tragedy strikes, we are often filled with fear,

Thankfully, this community has a voice, people just need to hear.

This will no doubt bring about talk of gun laws,

What we still fail to do is talk about our flaws.

Guns don't kill, people kill, that much is true,

I don't need an assault rifle to feel safe, so why do you?

Now I don't want to take away that right,

But just because you can doesn't make it right.

So much death and sadness has come from these tools,

Stricter laws makes sense, I am no fool.

But that is a topic for another day,

I'm still heartbroken over people killed because they were gay.

People are losing their lives over who they love,

I scream at the heavens, looking for an answer from above.

Right now heaven is probably a wonderful place,

Filled with all the love, no worry about sexuality, gender or race.

So what? So what if I was gay?

Would you immediately see me differently?

Should I be worried about a target on my head?

For who I let into my bed?

I'm still Josh, I love pizza and telling a stupid joke,

Nothing has changed, I'm still single and very broke.

So if you see me in a different way,

I'm sorry I don't know what else to say. 

If learning I'm gay changes anything at all,

I'm sad for you, having an outlook so small.

I admit I'm uneasy, and often depressed,

But that wont stop me from getting this off my chest.

I'm tired of being bullied and harassed, for being who I am,

Thankfully I've learned I'm not alone, and people give a damn.

The suicide notes have since been deleted,

I'm taking back my life, No longer retreated.

So if I'm gay, guess what?...That's ok,

I'd be part of a community that grows stronger everyday.

So don't hide behind religious or political views,

Before you judge, just take a moment to walk in our shoes.

This all started with one thing, I don't know why,

But with a community by my side, it feels pretty good I can't lie. 

Author's Note

Review if you like. It still feels kind of jumbled so I will work on the cohesion. But wanted to get it out there. I am open to thoughts on improving it, so if you have any let me know!

Reviews

[SuMM3rGiRl777]

Awesome writing! I love this. This is good. ^_^ people should understand and hear these words. Everything..so true..love how u expressed it. And yes about the Orlando incident..bad tragedy. Don't even like to talk about it anymore..it's just wrong. Thanks for sharing. ;)

[Joshua McNay]

You're welcome haha, but thank you for the kind words and for the review.

[Geodan]

Thank you for entering my contest! This is great writing and I feel the same way. Congratulations!

[Joshua McNay]

Thank you! I am happy you enjoyed my emotional piece. Means a lot. Thank you again!

[LazerRays]

This was awesome!!!!! you have a power to capture the worlds wonder and put it in a poem!!!

[Karmee]

Wow, very vivid imagery here, and wonderful detail,
such a emotional read.

[Corbin Driver]

I like the expression of thoughts. This poem really touched me because it is perhaps the strongest poem I have ever read, and probably the strongest thoughts I have heard on the tragedy in Orlando, FL. I give you praise for your expression in this piece! Keep up the good work!

[Quinn W]

I honor your strength in putting this out there. It takes a brave soul to be able to write about these kinds of things and then post about it somewhere where anyone can say anything. It's a real tragedy what happened in Orlando. Love is love. Beautiful poem.

[Aly]

This is so amazing, I haven't heard too much about this subject but what I have heard breaks my heart, I love hearing new ideas and things like this, it s amazing how this is set up very well done and great perspective

[Joshua McNay]

Thank you! I am happy you enjoyed it.

[Deenaidoo]

Hey. That was beautiful. That you can take who you are and what you feel and express it with such bravery. I hope u don't mind, I shared it on my FB. Don't worry, I respected your copyright

[Stan Lee]

I think this is your best piece so far Josh. Very clear, strong and important message. I think you should submit it to some magazines or newsletters for publishing. I believe that there are more people who should see this poem. Great job Josh. Very well done. :)

[Joshua McNay]

Best piece? Thank you for the wonderful compliment, means a lot especially given I wasn't sure on this one. I would love to submit it but not sure how or where to. Thank you for the kind words and the review, means the world to me.

[Stan Lee]

And I like the title too ;)

[Annie Nicole]

Wow! This is truly an amazing piece of writing! I too have been following the tragic events of Orlando and It breaks my heart everyday that people can't live and love the way they wish. This poem that you have created is a symbol of what our world can become and I admire you for writing such a beautiful thing. Hopefully one day their will be total equality! Love is Love, and Love will always conquer Hate! Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring words with the world and i hope more people will listen to you!

[Joshua McNay]

Thank you for the review! I really wasn't sure how this would be received but I am happy that enjoyed it.