Vivisection

We have attempted surgery on the body of our country,
Singeing and shaving her natural cover, we tried,
Like wartime doctors, to graft a new skin.
The Grass was fed on aseptic cobalt, and liberal
Not to say excessive doses of antiarboritics
(Such as superphosphate of lime.)
But the land was too young for the strain,
The operation, so costly, was unsuccessful.
The grass lifted and washed away
Exposing the rocky skeleton beneath.
There is nothing left now but bones,
Skin and bones and desolation.

M. A. Stone