Sgt. Michael D. Acklin II

a death a day

"In the first 27 days of June, 27 soldiers and
marines were killed [in Anbar Province] . . .
New York Times, June 29, 2006

unlit helicopter lifts another
by night

hard to find someone to unzip
black bag

see peace pooled on last
expression

letter to broken home maybe
ex-wife

while real family left saluting in
spin of sand

j.b. rowell