To the Editor,

Many cite the Columbine incident as a beginning. I can recall working with local authorities, community members, and youth, to create ‘Bridge Builders’ which was an attempt to address gun violence (especially in schools). Who would have thought that so many years later school shootings (and other mass incidents involving firearms) would be a regular occurrence? Sad, tragic, frustrating, horrible, insane, negligent and absurd are words that are uttered in response. The poem Within seeks to attempt explaining how many of the ‘monsters’ responsible for shootings have been created by us. We have a culture that has become alienated and lacking in trust. The answers will come only after deep reflection. Rights need to be balanced with responsibilities.  Mental health, cultural norms and what it means to be a citizen are all things that must be considered. Let’s hope that we can come together soon.

Within

By Bob Houghtaling

After the doors are locked

And patrolmen guard the halls

Who will look out for the monster

That alludes all our walls

Guns and psychotherapists

Inculcated into schools

Will be balanced by politicians

Engaged in a verbal duel

 In the meantime terrified children

Sit back on their screens

Being fed trouble and isolation

A never-ending scene

Once again awaiting demons

Against whom we cannot win

Until, of course, the day comes

We look deep within

Cultures built on hatred

Along with those of mistrust

Will introduce the carnage

That produces an unholy gust

From a rogue tornado

Violent is this storm

For we have now created

Twisters as a norm

Those who know their weather

Can predict what comes next

Don’t give guns to children

And put away that text

When thinking towards a forecast

Stop looking for its fault

Since we’ve created the monster

Who carries each assault

Robert Houghtaling is the director of Substance Abuse Prevention/Mental Health for East Greenwich.