POEM: If not now, when?

How can we come to utilize

A tragedy of such great size?

Convert our tears of pain

To some constructive, lasting gain?

The fate of all those “Darlings,”

Should move the “all” of us,

To light the torch of reason,

To do that which we must!

Begin a conversation

To seek what must be done.

In part, to find and help the sick and angry,

Who might assault with guns.

It is of much importance,

Not to polarize, not to take hard stands,

In fear of losing freedoms

That we’ve held fast in our hands.

Who is there now among us,

Who would not sacrifice

Some of that, which we now have,

If it would save some lives?

I do not pretend to know all the answers,

But I believe that they are there;

And the only limitation is:

How much, how deeply do we care!

Join in the conversation,

Let your thoughts be known;

For we can do together,

That which we cannot do alone!

And as a nation we must!

TOM KANE

(Longtime hunter)

Coeur d’Alene