amid the disco beat
shots rang out
and stilled the dancing feet

and as the panic rose
heroes stepped up
and gathered those
scared and frightened
in the throes of despair instant
and acted despite america's
continuing  woe.

hate lashed out again and again
thinking the battle won
but whilst there was death
there is always more love
and love again to win
this infernal war

to those who have fallen
and to those who mourn
those inconsolable angry and forlorn
i give the love of not one but many hearts
and to america i pray for a new start

one of understanding and not hate
one in which love has the highest place