This Memorial Day is one of the rare ones when America is not waging a war on foreign soil.

A day to remember those who gave their lives
It’s because of them, our freedom survives

They kept marching, knowing may not return alive
Even when certain death was looking in their eye

They obeyed orders, no questions asked
Did the job abidingly they were tasked

Their commanders, to justify the decision, often lied
It mattered least to them as to how many died

Manufactured evidence to buttress their decision
Snared underlings to actively promote the mission

Without draft, soldiers are mainly poor and colored
From the effects of war, most Americans are spared

They watch the war on their personal screens, if at all
It is like a video game, except it is not just down the hall

Death of civilians – mere collateral damage
“They don’t look like us” – why this outrage?

Sadly, unlike a video game, there is no reset
For a life lost, or damaged, there is no offset

Before a war ends, plans begin for the next one
Industrial-Military complex knows only one sermon

Let us not forget the essential workers who died
Overworked, under equipped, sleep deprived …….

Fighting on the front line against deadly Covid-19
They served heads down, despite risks umpteen

So, let’s go out to a park, have picnic, enjoy the holiday
Let’s leave the topic of war and death for another day

As the war in Ukraine proves, urge is universal
Easy to arouse and enflame, since it is primal

May be, just maybe, one day war will not be an option
Will be debated with an eye on compunction.

Until then, que sera sera!

Proud to be an American, one who chose to become one.
Indebted to the heroes for protecting our freedom and our lives.
May God bless America.