Guns And Babies (Poetry)

I’ve heard it from an indisputable source
a loaded rifle weighs around eight pounds —
not much different from the average newborn baby
and hefted with much the same degree of cautious wonderment.

A one-time mother I have held a tiny infant
but I’ve never had my hands on any gun
the contrast both appalling and compelling
the pairing of those images uncomfortably grotesque.

While total honesty insists I must admit
I once gave life without a qualm — no searching thought involved
but should dire circumstance demand it could I squeeze
a trigger and deliberately dispense a little death?