The Logs of Maruta [Unit 731]

 

[April 1, 1935] The experiments begin
physical examination of LOG-0003
patient is female, still breathing
and severely malnourished
she smiles, I smile, then pin her to the bed
LOG-0003 is parted and penetrated by LOG-0012
infected with syphilis and gonorrhoea and God know what else
she’s violated and inseminated
loses consciousness, process repeated
How many logs fell?


[January 2, 1937] Patients plagued with fleas
bodies crawling with white rats
abloom with anthrax
physical signs
LOG-0505 is decomposing alive
lymph glands swollen like bubo eggs ready to hatch
fingers and limbs bruised by the touch of black death
bleeding trees, roots and blood leaves
cutting the log from the inside
Question repeated. How many logs fell?


[June 3, 1939] The subject, a twisted wreck on the floor
Dr Maruta, clad in chemical proof suit
armed with flamethrower and hacksaw
amputating tangled limbs from LOG-0777
sealing the wounds with flames
overkill, mutants kept alive with car batteries
coronary arteries cleared with hand grenades
branches and trunks snap frozen with fear’s icy grip
thawing under the blowtorch of summer… the stench
of gangrene lingers, like the question… How many logs fell?


[August 4, 1945] My first vivisection was harrowing
under the surgical light field that devoured my soul like a sun
cutting open LOG-0905 holding her beating heart in my hand
but the second time around, it was much easier
by the third time, I’d become a monster
willing to butcher them, watching the horror in their eyes
turning them inside out, peeling back their chest
spreading them wide open to unravel their wings
How many logs fell?
All of them… they flew right out the window of the lumber mill.





This poem was inspired by the war crimes of Unit 731.