a letter home:

for the people who died,

for the people who

thought maine was

safe,

for the family and friends

left to pay for the funerals

.

we all know someone

who knows someone,

or we were someone

who’s world shattered

(because that’s how

tightly knit we are in maine)

.

but really,

what shattered

was the belief that maine

has an invisible

and magical force field

protecting us from

mass shootings and gun violence.

.

(some of us know

that was never true.)

.

yesterday i was frustrated

to see my community

post to their social

media, the media

that has found its way

to the corners of europe

and have earned me pitying glances

when asked, ‘where are you from’

.

frustrated to see the

clout chasing of sending

hugs back home

while it’s in the

National Media Cycle

.

clout chasing on the lives

of eighteen dead

and a community shattered

.

lest we forget

the shooting at colby college,

the shooting on interstate 295

this year alone

(but no students died

and he only killed his family)

so fuck your hugs

sent home.

.

tomorrow i am hopeful

that emails and phone calls

will be widespread

insisting lawmakers

write laws that

.

protect our people.

ban assault weapons.

mental health care for all.

.

but really, today

i am heartbroken

for the lives taken,

the lives left behind;

shattered by a sick man

with his guns.

and i am devastated that,

today, i am so happy

to be so far from home.