Forty-nine Times

A little after two A.M.

This morning forty-nine names were read--

The names of forty-nine victims who

Now are sleeping among the dead.

They lost their lives a year ago

When a gunman, ISIS-inspired,

Sneaked his weapon into a nightclub,

Held it up, and open-fired.

Those who survived the horrible shooting

At the gay club where the crime took place

Will have to relive the constant nightmare.

It's hardly something that time can erase.

Fifty-three patrons were wounded that night,

Many of whom still are reeling

From the horror, and they still require

Physical and mental healing.

Think of the families and friends of the victims.

Think of the magnitude of their loss.

How do you measure the sadness when

Extremists and innocent lives crisscross?

People from all over the world

Were appalled by the killer's barbarity

And sent kind words of sympathy

As they joined together in solidarity.

However, from under a dark veil

Of hatred and hypocrisy,

Emerged some voices of hatred from those

Hell-bent on a theocracy.

Voices of fanaticism,

No matter the source, always destroy

The goodness that is meant to be

And stifle liberty and joy.

Today in Orlando and in other cities,

Forty-nine times the church bells will sound.

May we remember the innocent victims

And let love and compassion abound.

(6-12-17) By Bob B