Poet’s Corner: A Response to Trump’s Feb. 21 Remarks

  • Wednesday, March 7, 2018 8:26pm
  • News

A Response to Trump’s Feb. 21 Remarks

By Norm Olson, Nikiski

Platitudes and empty words filled the room today

As the children of the corn stood up to take the guns away

“Tis that nasty rifle and the handguns that do us savage harm

“And it’s our intent to stop the guns by raising great alarm.”

And the children of the corn began to march resist and yell.

“If you don’t make the guns go away, we’ll stir a devilish hell.

And from the multitude of truths, this echoed truth will stay:

They believed they’d all be safe … just take the guns away!

Building their power on social media they quickly reached their goal

With every child marching behind a promise to make them whole.

The Piper promised to make them safe, but instead he vexed them so.

In haste the Piper called the experts who certainly must know.

The Piper said, “We’ll solve this problem” but all the kids demanded when

“We’ll study it and form committee will review the plan again.”

And finally an answer came, when all other solutions failed

Instead of honestly solving the problem, this consensus prevailed:

For soon a solution was grabbed that was supposed to ebb the fear

A solution that would keep bad guys away and keep the good guys near

And it was a popular solution, and one appropriate for our age

We’ll simply herd the children into a goodly solid cage.

Platitudes and empty words are offered to our children now

By the people who may one day command them all to bow

But instead of teaching the children to wait and patiently cope

We ought to give them kids a real reason to hope

How then? How can we protect them now?

Instead of empty promises we should be teaching them how.

More in News

Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters about his decision to veto an education funding bill earlier this session at the Alaska State Capitol on Thursday, April 17, 2025. He vetoed a second such bill on Monday. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Dunleavy vetoes 2nd bill increasing education funding; override vote by legislators likely Tuesday

Bill passed by 48-11 vote — eight more than needed — but same count for override not certain.

Graduate Paxton McKnight speaks during the graduation ceremony at Cook Inlet Academy near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Beginning a new season of their lives

Cook Inlet Academy graduates seven.

The wreckage of Smokey Bay Air plane N91025 is photographed after residents pulled it from the water before high tide on April 28, 2025, in Nanwalek, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of NTSB)
Preliminary report released on Nanwalek plane crash

The crash killed the pilot and one passenger and left the other passenger seriously injured.

Member Tom Tougas, far right, speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Tourism Industry Working Group in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Tourism working group rejects bed tax, recommends seasonal sales tax adjustment

The document includes a section that says the borough could alternatively leave its tax structure exactly as it is.

The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)
Stranded otter pup rescued from Homer beach

She is estimated to be around 2 months old and was found alone by concerned beach walkers.

Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers speaks to graduates during the 55th commencement ceremony at Kachemak Bay Campus on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Kenai Peninsula College leadership sees temporary transitions

KPC Director Cheryl Siemers is serving as interim UAA chancellor, while former KBC director Reid Brewer fills in her role.

Ash-Lee Waddell (center) of Homer is one of six recipients of the 2025 First Lady’s Volunteer Award at the Governor’s Residence in Juneau, Alaska, on May 13, 2025. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor
First lady honors Alaska volunteers

Volunteers from Homer and Nikiski were recognized.

The front of the Kenai Police Department as seen on Dec. 10, 2019. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Update: Middle schooler reported missing found after 24-hour search

The student was seen leaving Kenai Middle School at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The Oceania Riviera stands out against a bluebird sky at the Homer Harbor on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Over 1200 passengers from aboard the boat explored Homer throughout the beautiful day. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)
Homer tourism season kicks off with arrival of cruise ships

The first cruise ship of the season arrived April 28 with 930 passengers.

Most Read