basic training

imagine a thin red line
running from eye
through gun-sight
and down the barrel’s length
which lands squarely
on an unsuspecting target.

you’re told to keep breathing
in slow, long, even
breaths (to prevent
tiny tremors
from altering
the shot).

the trigger squeeze is key
(though “squeeze”
seems a strange word
to use for the act
of discharging
a weapon.

i’d much rather pull my girl
in close at the waist
than grip molded plastic
and death-cold steel)
in one steady motion
so as not to throw off
your aim.