This Is War Poem by Joseph A. Solis

The desert sun beats down on you

Sweat drips from every pore

March along the small town streets

This is it; this is war

Scan the rooftops and alleyways

Now and then, kick down some doors

Pray it's not the last one you do

This is it; this is war

A gunshot rings out in the distance

Take your aim as you hit the floor

Return fire and stay alive

This is it; this is war

A letter comes in your name

With news from home your spirit soars

The pages bring you only grief

This is it; this is war

For months and months you've gone without

Your spirit's broken, your body's sore

Still you stand and carry on

This is it; this is war

You've made it through, the mission's done

Now you stand outside your door

You're a stranger in your own home

There you are: a casualty of war