Flesh and Blood
I tried to tally death a couple
Of weeks ago
Starting with two explosions in Kabul
The second device murdering those who
Had responded, rushing, to the first
Since then, schools have been the setting of
Murders, too
Workplaces, neighborhoods
Nature has taken part in many
Though we kill well enough on our own
The count of death is maybe not so
Useful beyond actuarial
The flesh becomes abstract
The quality in tears evaporates
The blood is in another room, not
The one in which we’re arguing
Funding and our rights to shoot each other
When and where we like
Control and majesty of black metal move
Us more than someone else’s
Daughter or son
This is not about an issue
It’s about a loss that’s real
Stolen like bounty in the night
Hell’s gone a-hunting
So ephemeral a trophy,
The soul
If this is an issue for you
Then vote for something
And in the mean time wait
Until changed forever
And on occasion wonder why
Steel propulsions have to mean
So much
C L Couch
clcouch123 
June 9, 2018 at 3:23 am
A thoughtful piece Christopher. Perhaps about overcoming an instinct for survival in Keeping guns but also in using them or making them too easily available for when we feel we’ve been wronged or blame others for an in comprehensible situation (mental health episodes). Sometimes I think our tribal ancestors who lived for revenge and lived and died in a war culture, still exist in us. When we won’t throw down our swords or we hurt another tribe of any kind, so we can marginalize others and make revenge and violence personal. “Hell’s gone a-hunting, so ephemeral a trophy.” Those words make me think that we seek these trivial things that are short-lived, but we miss the larger picture, collectively/ for society, and when our lives are finished. Great write. I hope the weather has been good and that you have been well.
June 9, 2018 at 9:50 pm
Wow, your reading is close and sharp. Thank you, Amanda. It does seem incontrovertible, even mathematical, that with the ease of guns comes the ease of using guns. And other than defense–best done by the reasoned and well-trained–there is no decent motive for shooting someone. Anyone, which means oneself. You write strongly about this. Each death by gunshot changes everyone who’s left. And we change in regrettable ways. Nothing good has happened or will happen.
The weather here’s been seasonal. Sometimes cool, sometimes hot. The region has been hit by storms, but my small borough is okay. For whatever reason, I’ve been suffering with extra headaches. I’m trying some medication for them. I hope you are hale and having good days.
June 10, 2018 at 2:30 am
Yeah, I don’t get the guns thing. I’ve shot them, but never seen the need in a city. However, they do ban pepper spray here, even for women in their purse, and I don’t agree with that. You can use bear spray in the mountains or trails, but that’s about it. Hair spray can be terrible enough? I just don’t think Rights for guns are equal to someone else’s right for safety or to survive. And what happens in the U.S. effects Canada greatly, what the Aussies have done, has been amazing, almost no incidents since rules were changed, and some of the, live in the Outback where guns are needed.
I’m sorry about your headaches again. Those can be awful. When the weather is up and down, yhT never helps. I hope the medication works well. I doing fairly good, mostly good days, but the usual where somedsys I just need to sleep. Good to hear from you. Cheers
June 11, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Yes, I learned how to shoot guns at targets. That was kind of fun. I enjoyed archery more (again with targets). I agree with you about what nations do. I wasn’t aware of how it’s done in Australia, but for years and years in Britain and in Japan there were few guns allowed and thus few gun crimes happening. I regret to hear about the pepper spray. Women–anyone, really, but women especially–need recourse to instant and successful defense. I hope hairspray does it.
The medication I’m taking for the extra headaches seems to be helping. I’ve slept a little more, and I’m thankful for small favors. I hope your week is off to a good start for you with your feeling good and good things happening. TTFN! (Did I mentioned I was named for Christopher Robin? I was writing about that yesterday, though don’t remember why. Bear of little brain.)