It Ain't the Guns, Folks.

                                                              

It just might be time to break a very long silence, and to point something out: there is a very specific reason there are so many mass shootings in the United States, and it isn’t at all what is being talked about, and blamed for it.

Many are quick to point out that the infamous Columbine incident was not the first mass shooting in the U.S. While that is true, it was the turning point. After Columbine, the problem blossomed like an insidious, thriving thorn patch into what we have today, a titanic consumption of innocents at the hands of an extreme few. Why might that be?

When Columbine happened, I remember agonizing to my wife that blaring an occurrence like that one around the world was downright socially irresponsible. Of course it was news. Of course, we have freedom of speech, and an obligation to cover the news. Oh, sure.

We also have an opportunity to exercise some common sense, and there was far, far worse than none of that, exhibited by anyone at all in the national news media. How is it even remotely possible, that no one but little insignificant me thought that shouting and screaming about it would surely result in copycat repetitions of that horrendous event?

Folks, it’s the politically-charged media, the national news media, that bears full responsibility for the mass shootings that have occurred since Columbine. Sure, there may have been a few anyway. But not in schools, friends.

Lets consider what the perpetrators are. Not who, but what. They are suicidal. Suicides happen every day, all over the world. But some are more than suicidal, they are also very sick, and very angry, and they very much desire attention. What they do is how they get it. The very idea of preying on innocents is the thing that the media has spread, without thought or any sense of responsibility or remorse.

So what we should do, you see, is to remove all of the guns.

It’s nothing but politics.

End of story.

If you want to solve this problem, you don’t have to quash free speech or the media, but large venues should, in fact, be broken up and sold off to people who will abandon political agendas in reporting. ALL political agendas. Do that, and you will see the return of discourse, and reason, and a collapse of the hatred and hard-line bullshit with which deeply divided Americans are fed, every hour of every single day.

Of course, that won’t happen. There are powerful, manipulative people behind all of it. A divided populace is easier to control.

I could never really understand, either, why abortion was ever at issue. The same manipulative jackasses that I hold responsible for the above, are stupid enough to believe that government can and should legislate morality. Could anything be less attainable?

I rest my case. When the conflict has forced peace-loving, freedom-loving citizens into battle lines, that won’t bring about peace, either. There are persons at the top who bear responsibility for this mess. Find those people, ferret them out, and take away their power.

That’s your answer.

A Pome

Make my fuckin' coffee

Fuckin' drink it too

Any fool whut knows 

Knows there's too much shit to do

If I stops an' drinks my coffee

Bad shit will ensoo

So make my fuckin' coffee

An' fuckin' drink it too

Cats

 

I never really wanted a cat.

But no one told the townsfolk that,

And when they wanted their pets no more,

They found their way to my porch, my door.

I am too soft, I cannot hide,

I fed them, then some came inside,

Collected on my floors, my stair,

Took over my table, slept in my chair…

I’ve come to know them very well.

It’s a bit of heaven, and of hell

Fuzzy, soft and often purring, 

 They sleep all day. When I sleep, they’re stirring

It would be great if that was all.

But they fight, and chase, and catter-waul.

You see, they don’t always get along.

‘If you’re different from me, ya don’t belong,’

They all get good food, fine kibble and fish,

Yet some will have trouble approaching the dish.

They’re fussy, reactive, and to be blunt

If they are unhappy, they’ll pee where they want.

So now, I know how God must feel.

Given all that they need, they’ll scrap and they’ll steal

Destroy their environment a day or three hence

And turn half their group into indigents.

But to be fair, cats are not smart.

And I can’t help it, they have my heart

But if I had the nerve, I’d have recourse;

With all that I spend, I could keep a horse.

***

Yet, my prayers are for us, my fellow man,

Because I can feel it, I really can.

It would be nice if I could see

A path that would make us all worthy of “free”

A way I could credit superior brains.

Instead, we are, precisely the same.

 

 

 

Existence

Note to Reader: I needed something to clear my mind from my last tirade. This was it; but please read the next piece as well. It's important, if and only if the right person sees it, and it makes a difference.

Existence

It’s odd, I think, how it came to be.

The wind is back, it’s rustling leaves,

The beauty of the Earth displayed

Beneath high window, now surveyed

By the Queen of All. She’s very small,

Some might think, not a queen at all,

But she knows better, as do I

She purrs approval, expels a sigh.

You see, my father passed away

His spirit resides in Heaven today,

The things he owned are here, with me.

His home, his plants, beloved trees,

Still there but gone, sold to another

He’s left to be with our sweet mother,

But possessions overflow their bounds

Within my home. You see it sounds

Far better than it looks.

Boxes of maybe, pictures and books

Now stacked atop my upper stair;

With no more space, I put them there.

‘Twas a wonderful place for a kitty to go.

When she found that spot, she watched it snow

Trees bent by the wind, the very same one

That today moves greenery, dappled in sun...

And the window is open. Let’s see, did I mention

Surveying a queendom means constant attention

To birds, and squirrels, and bees, and such

And allows little time for else of much.

By now I’ve forgotten what’s in the stack.

I’m sure my Dad won’t need it back,

But a sweet li’l kitty, her world expanded

Fully approves of where it landed.

So for now, or forevermore,

In that same spot those things I’ll store.

Dad might not approve, but it’s really okay

Earthly decisions, behind him today

I can’t say the same, can’t ask what to do

Or how I should feel that his life is through

Though he can still see, and truly, just fine.

When I open my eyes, he sees through mine.

Dumb

Too Dumb to be Civil

      As I write this, it is just five days from the end of April, 2020. I might have said “in the year of our Lord 2020,” but for certain that would piss someone off, in fact, a lot of someones. Fact of the matter is, that’s far too easy to do. No one, but no one is willing to let anyone else think what they actually think, and no one really thinks for themselves any more. It’s a sad, sad situation.

      Also as I write, the economies of nations around the world have actually been to no small degree, shut down over a virus. Over what? That’s what I said.

      I should say, right from the start to all world leaders, thank you very much. You have bought me some time. I am one of those who will probably die when I do contract it, and that is a fairly certain probability. Why? Because you can’t stop it. Sure, in a year you may come up with the vaccine that will immunize a portion of the world’s population...to this particular strain. Of course, as this particular virus has been shown, like most other viruses to be mutating, it will quite likely be a Pyrrhic victory. From Wikipedia: “A Pyrrhic victory is a victory that inflicts such a devastating toll on the victor that it is tantamount to defeat.”

      The really horrible thing about that is, it could actually be solved, truly defeated if only the nations of the world could be civil. You know, like individuals could be, but usually are not.

      But alas, it would be difficult for the same world leaders to facilitate the actual changes that would have to be made. Doing so would be inconvenient, even though intelligent. Those changes might be a potential threat to their power and control, there it is. So it isn’t just that they are too dumb to be civil with other nations, it’s a threat to their honor, to their perceived ability to lead effectively. You understand, ‘what would I actually gain by helping anyone else?’

      This entire thing is not really attributable to one nation or to one facility, or to one market in a single nation. Sure, we have a pretty good idea where it came from. I’m not speaking of from whence it came or how it arose, because it did. Unfortunately, it’s so ridiculous it’s almost amusing; we do not take it seriously when science advises us that odds very much dictate that a near-earth object will certainly strike the planet and end most life on earth. We do not take it seriously when all scientific evidence clearly displays massive and devastating climate change that will doubtless destroy the food supply over time, or when it is pointed out by science that species are being extincted at an alarming rate, indicating that life in general upon this planet is in a general downward spiral. In each and every case there is a way out; but nothing at all will happen to fix anything, until certain people and organizations see there is money to be made if they address it.

      At this point in time, had science been funded properly, we would know just how to protect our planet from most, if not all outside influences. We would already have renewable non-polluting energy sources, whether from controlled fusion or from something else. And we would fully understand the relationship between viruses and the life they affect, allowing quick response and immediate control. Once, in a letter, I advised the current President of the United States, just a remote squeaky voice from a common citizen, that science could not be over-funded. Of course the chances are extremely slim-to-none that he ever even saw it. Someone may have, the letter was probably destroyed by a sorter, end of story. But I felt the need to say it, so I did.

      So here we all are now, facing death. Oh sure, most people who actually contract this virus will survive it. Long-term effects on health are certainly unknown, that’s a story for later, for someone. So if it’s actually not such a big deal, why can I be arrested if I violate the stay-at-home order in my home state? Why must I wear a surgical mask, or some semblance thereof, to purchase food? Why am I legally prevented from associating with anyone? The big question, why is the entire world willing to shut down the businesses, industries and even food-producing infrastructure to prevent its spread? No one is developing any immunity, except those who contract it and survive it. And believe me, few if any of our leaders worldwide actually care if you, personally, live or die. It’s really, truly, all about power, acquisition of it or retention of it. No one wants to be legitimately responsible for deaths in their populace. And that’s it. That’s all.

      Now we come, at last, to my opinion, and I freely admit it’s a pipe dream, because no one actually cares what I think, or what you think, for that matter. Every one of our world leaders needs to be replaced, and every replacement should be a person, man or woman or whatever, who has dedicated his life to science. The money being wasted currently to support those who were put out of work should then flow, at long last, to laboratories and research facilities worldwide. The underlying objective of all scientific organizations should be, as it always and always should have been, cooperation for the purpose of discovery.

      Then, and only then will humanity stand at least a chance of survival in the longer term.

      But you know what? We’re screwed. Because leaders and individuals alike have one characteristic in common.

      See the title of this piece.



Permission is given by the writer to re-publish and re-use this piece in its entirety and without modification.

My Wish for You

     The morning settled over my existence wrapped in crushing, immobilizing cold. The air itself crystallized around me when I stepped into it, to tend to the immediate needs of wild creatures who have come to depend on my support. They do mind the cold but they need to eat, and to drink. I help as I can.

     Like all things of late, it made me think. That can be a dangerous thing, because it isn’t what is around you, but what you take from it. You can take the remaining warmth and envelope your heart with it or you can solidify in the depth of the freeze. You can be deadened by the overcast, or glory in a warming beam of sunlight that finally reaches you. All around me are shadows of the past. In like profusion are the realities of the present, and dreams of the future.

     The past can be a foundation by which the efforts of the present are supported, or it can be a binding weight that prevents a worthwhile foray into the future. Like everyone, my past is mottled with both pain and pleasure. I dearly love to remember the pleasures and I deeply miss so much of it, knowing without so much as a wraith of doubt, I will never see most of it again in my lifetime. But, there are two positives to tip the scale in my favor, one, the pains experienced are also in the past, which means they are no more. The other is the certainty that I have not experienced anywhere near all of the pleasure and promise that I may. If I want to, I’d better prepare for it, rather than to stagnate among the painful memories that compose the darker side of a mottled past.

      Who we are and who we may become is only partly controlled by choices we make. I scoff at the fairy tale that proclaims “happiness is a choice.” It isn’t unless all choices are mine, and they certainly are not. I am but one person, and can use only what I have to fend off those who care not at all if I live, die, prosper or perish. I could not control the actions or decisions of a spouse. I cannot control the actions or decisions of anyone, not a lover, not a friend, not an enemy, certainly not my children. If I am diligent, I may be able to control my own.

     That is my goal. Let it overspread my existence, lift up my life, enable my finest efforts and raise the overall outlook of humanity upon this earth.

      I wish for you, precisely the same.

The Bumbly-Bee

 

 

 The Bumbly-Bee

My life has been long, I’m an old man, you see

I’d set up a ladder to trim an old tree,

‘Twas late in the spring, and the tree was in blossom

As happens when this guy behaves like a possum,

Yes I’d put it off, and now wanted it done.

Put on a broad hat to protect me from sun,

My body ached, as slowly I climbed

To finish the job at least, one more time.

I began snipping, in warm breeze and sun

Soon losing myself in this task I’d begun.

I’d hardly noticed, that tree was a-buzz

With bees of all kinds, just doing their stuffs,

Collecting the nectar, but I didn’t care

Till a bumblebee hovered before me, and stared.

Now quickly I realized that I’d snipped the branch

That bee had been on, by complete happenstance.

Perhaps I’d offended, removing her flower

Of course I was bigger, but she had the power,

She circled and landed, my neck she then stung,

I lurched and I swiped and my clippers I flung

Sensation of falling, crushing thud to the ground

Then darkness; then rising, then sunlight, and sound;

A buzzing, ‘twas me, as I hovered on high

I was free, ‘twas me, now a bee in the sky!

I considered, that fall, man, that was some pain,

But looking back now, I’d do it again,

To know once more the sensation of “free,”

Of dipping and diving as a real bumblebee!

For a moment, I was flustered. How on earth could this bee?

A man lay there, beneath that tree

The ladder askance where I once had ascended

Before I’d been stung, and my body’d ass-ended

So that’s how it goes, I thought, that’s how I die;

But I felt no remorse, for now, I could fly,

Euphoric and free, ‘twas just as it was

My wings beat softly, created the buzz,

I’d never thought much of reincarnations

Nor what it must feel like, this creature’s sensations,

Much less the condition, a world once extraneous

Nor that one’s rebirth could be instantaneous!

But I didn’t mind at all, no no!

All that mattered was “Go! Go! Go!”

I could fly! I could fly! I shot straight up then

And all I wanted was to do it again.

I can say this now, I recall that feeling

That even a bee has a very real ceiling,

But I know I was there, saw a hawk passing by,

Assessed where I was, ‘cuz it gave me the eye,

So earthward I dove, in a widening spiral

If this were a vid, thought I, this would go viral...

But soon, I suppose, inevitably

I settled down to becoming a bee.

All I can tell is what I recollect

There was one job to do, which was to connect

With nectar in flower, a task to do,

For little else mattered, no, I simply knew,

This life spanned one season, a duty was mine

Serve queen, serve colony, work all the time,

But work it was not, not a care in my life,

No money, no status, no crazy ex-wife,

True meaning, direction, and ultimate peace

Bright sun, soft breeze, white clouds of fleece…

But there must be an end to this picture I paint.

For I know, only God could make me what I ain’t.

And He did that for me. I know just why,

For my eyes have been opened; the Earth and the sky

These didn’t just happen, they’re here for a reason.

The day, the night, the planets, the seasons,

Life as it is, both good and bad

I’ve surely seen both. What a life I’ve had!

I considered, then, in pain on the ground,

Forever I’ll miss that freedom, that sound,

One summer I lived the life of that bee.

Ever working, then fading, less agility,

Then quietly passing, feeling I was still free

Knowing I would be back, hoping yet as a bee.

But when I awakened, the sun was still high,

I rolled myself over and stared at the sky,

What had happened, I wondered,

Then put it together;

I laid there in silence, and thought, could it be

I really had lived as a bumbly-bee?

Well yes, yes I did. But now I’m back here;

As a bee, for sure, there’s no pizza, no beer,

No tobacco nor nookie nor other things human,

Just great strength, and peace, and the blooms as they’re bloomin’-

So now I must say, and it comes from my soul,

Humanity’s dug itself one great big hole.

We may live on as a fish or a bear,

Or a deer or a whale, I really don’t care.

And if we awaken as some other being

What do you suppose we will find?

We’re here, you see, as stewards behooved,

And if we can’t play, then we’ll be removed.

So silly we are! Imagine the way

We carry this selfishness through each day

Seldom seeing this world that sustains.

It’s home to far more. I’ll say it again;

The night is as day with stars a’ glistening,

But you, my dears, shall not be listening.

So record I, from this hospital bed

Knowing someday, I will be dead

And so shall you; and you, and you.

Let’s get it right.

It’s what to do.

*****

2018

Benjamin Trayne