AFTER THE VOLO DI NERA CHEESE FESTIVAL BY LOIS ROSEN
At Pulse, iced cocktails, salsa dancing, laughter
the terrorist left fifty people dead.
Obama said, “…we will not turn against each other.”

Obama should resign, Trump brayed on Twitter.
Facebook posts urged, Run. And patrons fled
Pulse, the karaoke, glitz, and laughter.

Far from my mourning country, Umbrian cheese makers
offered tastes of pecorino, caciocavallo on fresh bread.
Let it be true we will not turn against each other.

In 1523, villages here rebelled against Spoleto, but later
Petronio, the local leader burned alive. More hatred fed.
Orlando’s club, scene of slaughter,

bullets sprayed birthday partiers. Hospital workers
listed the names of twenty to thirty-year-olds dead.
May we not turn away from each other.

Fifty-three more wounded. In Italy, geraniums cut fever
gashes in medieval walls. Bullets smeared floors red.
Gay blood donors shunned, no dance, no laughter,
bodies fester when we turn against each other.