The Wildland Poem by Barry Middleton

the forest voice is silent now
the nymphs have gone away

no more does Artemis protect
a world in disarray

her slackened bow is heedless of
the demons roaming free

is this the punishment of gods
and sealed by their decree

the garden forest that we knew
has fallen on the path

where once a child did sing and play
before this mutant wrath

no song arises from the oak
for song is mortal too

and dies with innocence and hope
the way that Dryads do