I Bought a Gun

One day I bought a shotgun 

and I looked at my shotgun

and its shells

and I said quietly to myself: "Courage".

But for some reason my heart still shrank 

and my hands still trembled

and I felt alone and small

as I watched the others stride around me;

and I said quietly to myself: "I need more".

So, one day, I bought a rifle 

and I looked at my rifle

and its cartridges

and I said aloud: "Courage".

But somehow courage eluded me

and my eyes darted about

and I felt at ill at ease

as I watched the others stride around me;

and I said aloud: "I need more".

So, I one day, I bought a revolver

and I looked at my revolver

and its bullets

and I said in a clear, firm voice: "Courage".

But why was my heart still so small

and why was I nervous

and feeling uncomfortable

as I watched the others stride around me;

and I said in my clear, firm voice: "I need more".

So, one day, I bought an automatic

and I looked at my automatic

and its magazine

and I said in a loud voice: "Courage".

But where was the courage I wanted

and I found myself shying away

and why did I feel so alone

as I watched the others stride around me;

and I said in my loud voice: "I need more".

So, one day, I bought a semi-automatic rifle

and I looked at my semi-automatic rifle

and its extended magazine

and I screamed: "Courage".

But I didn't find my courage in my guns

and I didn't find it in myself

and I felt too much to bear

as I watched the others stride around me;

and I screamed my scream: "I need more".

So, one day, I took my guns with me

and I looked at my guns

and all their ammunition

and I softly said to myself: "Courage".

But for some reason my heart shrank

and my hands still trembled

and I felt alone and small

as I watched the others stride around me:

and I softly said to myself: "Maybe tomorrow..."