Miguel
M. Morales
Anniversaries
celebrate our best moments
like weddings and first dates.
like weddings and first dates.
They
recall our special connections from
a first kiss to the day we met our best friend.
a first kiss to the day we met our best friend.
There
will be no anniversary toasts to the
discriminate massacre of 49 people.
No specially compiled playlist or
dancing for the injuries of 53 more.
discriminate massacre of 49 people.
No specially compiled playlist or
dancing for the injuries of 53 more.
There
will be no surprise parties
for grieving families and friends.
for grieving families and friends.
No
dinners will celebrate the sustained
pulsing pain of brown and black queers.
pulsing pain of brown and black queers.
We
will sign no cards with images of cakes
on the cover and scripted writing inside
on the cover and scripted writing inside
nor
will we exchange wrapped gifts
while searching for the nearest exit.
while searching for the nearest exit.
Anniversaries
celebrate our best moments.
Many followed in the aftermath.
We will applaud and embrace them
in the days and months to come.
Many followed in the aftermath.
We will applaud and embrace them
in the days and months to come.
But
for today, just for today,
don’t call it an anniversary.
don’t call it an anniversary.