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Not moving, not dancing
lying very still
now a coverlet
a decoration
for remains forever static.

The starred blue square
marks the head
although we do not know
or ask if there is a head inside.

The red white stripes
point to the feet
as in patrol, platoon
squad and squadron.

Do not look or note
or photograph these flags
covering metal boxes
it's unpatriotic.

Do not recite the names
of what the remains were called
as it aids the enemy
is an intrusion on family grief.

Do explain to the children
especially the very young ones
why flags are gleefully everywhere
when starting the war.

But now we do not look at
or think about
flags on
metal boxes.

Reprinted from "Victory" a chapbook of poetry by Henry Burt Stevens
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