Deep within the forest The sun’s last warm rays Caress those in unrest Through the cold haze As frigid as the mist Are the decomposing carcasses Frozen by rigor mortis Posing like athletes of antiquity Still lively although deceased Marble white skin, limbs like hardened clay Absent breath, absent heartbeat Reeking of decay, displaying the dismay Serving a feast for scavengers The garden draws in hungry four-legged guests To feed on the putrid cadavers To treat themselves in a gory excess As did the dead when still alive Forcing the earth to scream in despair Forging nature to please their minds Gorging on the fruit it used to bear Another statue is erected By the gardener, the artist Another effigy dissected In honor of gaia and artemis Deep within the forest The dark of the night grows black Concealing the cadaver garden Tomorrow the sculptor will come back