Fandom: Original Personal Poetry

Author: Hyperfocused

Characters/Pairing:none

Rating:T for Terrifyingly Terrible

Challenge:Blue

Length:~65 words

Content Notes:Allusion to the Mass shooting in Highland Park IL July 4th 2022

Author's Note:I grew up in Highland Park, and took part in the parade as a child.

Summary:Unhappy 4th






When the pop-pop-pop

Wasn’t backfiring cars or

Fireworks going off.



When marching U.S proud

(Even in such times as these)

Turned fast to fleeing.



When red spurts bloody,

White-blanched faces glaze in shock,

Blue-bloods all gave chase.



When folding strollers

and chairs collapsed, the way

Bodies and wounded fell.



When my hometown trends,

Mass shooting 308 this year,

What’s to celebrate?


7/4/22