It waits for us in the forest
festering amongst the trees
the patient infection subdued;
an evil one seldom sees.

The oak and the pine sound anxious
ardent wind ignores their cries
wrapped around the best like ivy
searching us with ivory eyes.

We carved the beast from bone remains
rooted out from bloodied fields
tooled to honor those we slaughtered
resigned to stay safely sealed.

Time gifts the beast greater power
posturing it for the war
in which we had been the monsters
killing for land and much more.

Our victory in the battle
baneful for all that is good
gifted us unfounded wisdom
while our death waits in the woods.