Exigency

                   Exigency

War, in all its celebrated inglorious
         legacy of lost limbs and flashbacks
Harrowing nightmares exsanguinating our souls
Claims to life confirmed by blood of dads and brothers
Truth, justice, the American dream -
All these golden lofties tossed overboard
As we citizens march resolutely into war
And come back bruised, stained if at all

War, that your little one a'sleeping
  In blue two-by-two-the-animals-come blanket
  A monitor attesting to his cradle cooing
  Wide blue eyes not yet resolving
  Jungle gyms and corsages ahead
Might while away his growth in shelter
Until the next time nation takes up cause

Mommies praying, daddies in dismay
  Maybe we all just forgot what it was like
That this dandy must suit up and hike away to
War, with poet's imagery in mind
To confront all its reality unkind
And return home with anguished eyes
Or, in a box or not at all
Just a whiff of ashy residue
Grim reminder of why we had to go