Gun Control

What a relief it would be to be dead

I think of this when we discuss gun control

I won’t vote for it

I say

I probably won’t

I don’t like things that control

But I wish they’d stop making new ones

I wish the want went away

And just that wish makes you mad

I told you it must be easy

For you to see target practice

and hunting as casual sports

I see myself on stained linoleum tile

I know if I waited

Just one more hour

I wouldn’t want to pull the trigger

It’s like we are learning to walk

And you are better at navigating

sharp corners

You say I should have to put padding on the corners

So you can have your choice of furniture

I want rounded furniture

soft beveled glass

or sanded oak

In a couple hundred years

we can make the whole world safe for walking

Pretend it’s now

At home

As we stumble freely

Shins sliding against smooth pleather edges

I promise I am not crazy

You are two tragedies away from forgetting

how to balance your head

on your neck

Let alone

bear the weight of arms

Believe me

You are not even the reason for your own sanity

Some burdens were shouldered for your benefit

Some slave labors and surgeries and salaries saved

And if you think you owe

the founding fathers your freedom

You’re looking too far back

There were nights I stayed up

Because sleep meant

Waking to face another day

And when the morning came

I made you breakfast