Not worth it

I’ve been considering defense
In the context of the past tense
In wars that we’ve waged
Where our troops have been staged
Who fought as though they had been caged

They employed
Violence of action
Inflicted fatalities to the other faction
All in the name
Of the USA
To keep us all safe today

But I wonder
Of those brave ghosts of the past
If they could see the now
And compare it to the last

Would they like what they see?
Could they justify their cost
For us to be free?

Would they feel honored at what we are?
Or would they weep at how far we lowered the bar?
Would they question the sacrifice they made?
Would they regret the price that they paid?


Or would they look at what we became
And shake their head at our pitiful shame?

Was it all worth it for this ungrateful crew?
Who is unworthy of what they believe their due

I would say not at all
I would say not worth the fall
I would say they have unmitigated gall

To expect to be protected
When they rejected
The selflessness we reflected  

Is this what we fought for?
This selfish, entitled bore?
Who is simply rotten to the core

I say they are not worth it

EASN