LOVE IS LOVE

The 12th of June is my birthday. A day to – I guess – celebrate the day I was born. Presents, songs, smiles and hugs all around. Family and friends. A day to be with the ones I love.

This year…the 12th of June was the day 49 people lost their lives and thousands were scarred for life, emotionally if not physically. All this, in one singular horrific act.

An act born out of fear, hatred and ignorance.

And I’m not only talking about the shooter.

Many years ago, there was a five-year-old boy – an innocent boy – playing football with his frinds, laughing, making jokes, loving life. A boy who would probably kiss his mother goodnight with a smile. Just like any other little boy would.

That boy died.

That boy became a monster – born out of fear, hatred and ignorance.

It’s time to stop! It’s time to end this irrational fear that is, crazily, a part of today’s society.

I keep asking myself why. I just don’t understand it. Haven’t we all learnt that we shall love one another? That we shall embrace our own and each other’s individuality?

However we dress.
Wherever we come from.
Whatever we believe in.
Whomever we kiss.
– It doesn’t matter!
We’re all the same.
We all want the same thing.
To love and to be loved.
To belong.

The 12th of June is my birthday. This year I was reminded that I am not the one that need the songs, the smiles and the hugs, and the love – the world is.

The LOVE IS LOVE Poetry Anthology is a collection of poems by authors from all over the world dedicated to the victims of the Orlando Pulse shooting. To remember them. To celebrate them. To never ever forget them.

All proceeds from this anthology will go to the survivors of the shooting and the victims’ families.

Contributing Authors:

AC Benus, Aditus, Andrew Jericho, Ann Anderson, Ash Marie, Asta Idonea, Betti Gefecht, Cam Kennedy, Cynus Eldranai, Darren White, dughlas, Eddy LeFey, Eden Winters, EmiGS Em, F.E. Feeley Jr., Gelybi , Headstall, Jack L. Pyke, Jana Denardo, Jason Frazier, Jay Rookwood, J.L. Merrow, Karina Rye, Kathy Griffith, Kay Ellis, Kaye P. Hallows, Kit Loffstadt, Laura B. Damone, Layla Dorine, Lily G. Blunt, L.J. Harris, L.M. Somerton, Louis Stevens, L.S.K Harris, L.V. Lloyd, Lynn Michaels, Maggie Chatterton, Maria Siopis, Monika De Giorgi, Parker Owens, Patricia Nelson, Pelaam, Petra Howard, Ravyn Bryce, Rick R. Reed, Ruski, Valik and Addy, S.J. Davis, Skylar M. Cates, Star Brady, Steve Baldry, Susan Crane, Tamara Miles, Tash Hatzipetrou, Tim Landon, Tracy Gee, Vicki Tubridy, Victoria Kinnaird, and Wendy Rathbone.

Sincere thanks go to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and skills in the making of this beautiful anthology.

Special thanks also go to Jay Aheer (Simply Defined Art) for the fabulous cover art,
Kelly O’Brien for the ‘Love Wins’ artwork, and Petra Howard and Tash Hatzipetrou for proofreading the final document.