Battle Fatigue Poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar

Battle fatigue.
From fought wars,
And declarations of victorious...
Outcomes to praise.
Has left blood on urban streets,
Increasing.
Not for peace but for 'turf' to keep.
As if the doing instills,
A pride that resides...
In minds sickened by divisions.
And worshipped pointless realities.

Battle fatigue.
No one is immuned to depict an enemy.
Even neighbors,
Family members and friends...
Are reminded to buy weapons,
As a defense against violence.
To promote the selling of guns.

Battle fatigue.
And reminders of entitlements,
Guns to get...
Will leave a peace one keeps,
Untested...
By anyone believing they can,
Take one's peace and address threats.

Battle fatigue.
Everyone with a gun is on the hunt.
To kill anyone and just for the fun.
Because they have been told,
They've been entitled as a birthright
To do as they please 'wherever'.
Then leave to excuse this,
On a having of a battle fatigue.