L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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Our Goose Is Cooked

I cannot anymore say “I do not give a hoot!” 
When a policeman pulls over my car, 
First thing I say is, “Officer, please don’t shoot!” 

Now, I am afraid to go--to venture very far 
From the security of my very own back yard 
I no longer visit my local neighborhood bar 

These days we need a personal security guard 
To feel safe when we go to the village malls 
Guns from all public places should be barred 

Once we could handle old-fashioned brawls 
But with serial killers and snipers on the loose 
I am afraid our backs are pressed to the walls 
Discarded social mores have cooked our goose.

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021

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Gershon Wolf Date: 3/29/2021 8:55:00 PM A searing write. It is true. We live in fear of so many places and people. Deep, profound, thought-provoking write, Milt. Kudos, Gershon Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/29/2021 9:53:00 PM Gershon, thanks so much. I missed reading you the last couple of days. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/24/2021 3:47:00 PM sadly, guns will be our only protection in very bad times when gangsters try to get into our homes just for food! It could happen in a future of great depression . Wish someone had the answers for all the crap happening today. The first stanza was a real hoot. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/24/2021 4:12:00 PM Andrea, I am definitely not against guns being used for their proper and appropriate purposes. I have no problem with appropriate guns in a home for self-protection. I am against weapons made for killing people being on the streets, in our malls, and available to people with mental and emotional problems. Strict background checks are needed...NOW! Thanks for stopping by and expressing your thoughts. I appreciate your opinions.

Ilene Bauer Date: 3/24/2021 11:34:00 AM well said, l milton! the world is a frightening place now. ~ i love the rhyming in this piece... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/24/2021 12:21:00 PM Thanks so much for your compliment, Ilene. Yes, we are living in troubling times.

Lon Wartman Date: 3/24/2021 5:20:00 AM Many Thanks for sharing your poem on this issue as well as your comments on my poem "The Killing Fields". I would encourage all your followers to write their stories as well. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/24/2021 8:35:00 AM Absolutely, Lon. I appreciate your stopping by, reading my poem, and sharing your thoughts. l hope I said something helpful and productive on your poem. I generally don't comment on a poem unless I feel like it is really worthy of comment, well-written, and meaningful. Kudos!

Michael Ellis Date: 3/24/2021 2:51:00 AM Tercets followed by a Beautiful closing. I too share your wish for a kinder justice. Poets can change this.. We must wake up the Poets who will wake up the musicians who will awaken the teachers...We are the alarm clocks Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/24/2021 8:34:00 AM Michael, truer words couldn't be spoken. We have a responsibility as writers on the national and international stage to keep sounding this alarm until something is done. The old "each one-teach one" approach. Where does peace begin? It begins with me!!!

Suzette Richards Date: 3/24/2021 12:27:00 AM Fear has become the norm and violence seems to be the rhetoric of politicians. A really sad state of affairs in many countries. I have appended the design details of the ZaniLa Rhyme to my poem Run through my Mind under the poem on my page. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/24/2021 8:32:00 AM Ah, thanks, Sus. I"m anxious to learn about it. Also, thanks for the read and the comment.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 3/24/2021 12:03:00 AM Things are nuts. Who need an assault rifle? Who? Who? Who? Do even the police need them? Why? "But with serial killers and snipers on the loose I am afraid our backs are pressed to the walls"- fear is a horrible thing, but so are random acts of violence, terrorism, hate crimes. So sad. Good one. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/24/2021 8:32:00 AM Thanks, Caren. I think we poets, who have a voice in the world community, should continuing hammer on this issue. Every little bit helps! I agree wholeheartedly with you.

Judy Ball Date: 3/23/2021 8:18:00 PM WoW! Well put. If we don't have to fear the snipers we have to make sure the local cops don't suspect us of anything. Well done Milton. God Bless, JB Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/23/2021 8:33:00 PM Again thanks, Judy. I appreciate every time you read my poetry.

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 3/23/2021 1:15:00 PM There must be a lot of people who feel this way now after the second senseless mass shooting in a week. I can't imagine what it was like for the shoppers who had to hide in a closet. We're overdue for a sensible discourse on guns. Sure, hunters use them for good purposes. I understand. Such a tough topic to get before Congress. Hugs, Carolyn Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/23/2021 1:41:00 PM You know, Carolyn, I am really NOT anti-guns. I just think we have to figure out ways to keep them out of the wrong hands...and I admit, it isn't easy. But, the time has come for some serious work on this issue at all levels.