If only we had known

Ah, the if onlys. I grew up with a card-carrying member of the NRA. My brother, sister, and I were all taught how a gun works. My siblings learned to target shoot on the property in the north woods. I took a gun safety class taught by my father, mostly with boys who wanted their hunting licenses. My sister, because she knew where the safety was, took a gun away from a college classmate. 

Where does it begin?

Often we go backwards

Forwards

Sideways.

If only

We allowed guns

Everywhere.

If only

We didn’t allow guns

Anywhere.

If only

Camouflage

And black were not

Allowed

As proper attire.

If only mentally ill people

Were not allowed

On the streets.

If only

Dishonorably discharged vets

Were allowed

Mental health care.

If only

If only

If only

Backwards

Forwards

Sideways

If only

We had known.