Unknown
Mark Jackley Culpeper National Cemetery Afterwards, they marked the graves of the unknown dead from the Civil War with small square numbered stones planted in the earth. Beside each one, stuck in the ground, is a small American flag. Some of the flags have fallen in the wind, some are wrapped around their little wooden sticks like bandages, and the rest are turned in every direction, fluttering as if waving for help or speaking a language only they can understand, though it doesn't seem to ease their bewilderment at all. |
About the author:
Mark Jackley's most recent book is Appalachian Night, available from the author for free at chineseplums@gmail.com. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in Natural Bridge, FifthWednesday, Sugar House Review, Gravel, Talking River, and other journals. He lives in Sterling, VA. |