As a Deer Decays
Funt, LSAW 2010
Her body lays
strewn on a leaf-covered
hill halfway
between two trees. She's been dead
over a week.
Black flies frantically hover
above bloated
belly and use her head
to house fat
maggot children. Already
her eyes are
eaten away, her fur lies
patchy on her
dirtied bones- her deadly
smell drifts down
to the street; a neighbor sighs
and rakes
lifeless leaves as the decay plagues
his lungs. Crows
circle, awaiting a half-
eaten meal, as
it's rank odor persuades
them closer
still. Their hungry caws are laughs,
agitated for the
flesh they will raid.
A feast on
parasite-ridden remains.