Poem: Lycanthrope

Poem: "Lycanthrope"

First, look to the right for the poem. -->

Details (a.k.a., the b.s.): "Lycanthrope" was written March 15, 2002. This is the fourth version. The structure is unrhymed free form. The nearest scanning would be trochaic trimeter. Constructive feedback is welcomed.

A lycanthrope is a werewolf, from the Greek lykos, wolf, plus anthrope, man. The legend of lycanthropy states that those cursed with the issue change form against their will during every full moon (but appear to be normal humans at other times). During this transformation, lycanthropes are said to take a fearsome wolf form that may (according to some legends) attack humans without mercy or later recollection.

In "Lycanthrope," lines break and resume unexpectedly on the next line, changing the meaning of the preceding line and lending a sort of ongoing double entendre to each section. This reflects the ongoing change that is part of the lycanthrope's existence--he thinks he knows the rhythm and cycle but it breaks and changes everything around it, every time. (Contrast this chunking movement with the smooth gliding of "Sweep.") There are 28 lines, one for every night of the lunar cycle.

Some have accused me of writing "Lycanthrope" in regard to a specific werewolf character mentioned in other sections of this website, notably the Sims Stories. Toward that end, I have no comment. >:-)

Tripping through the halls
Of time, I stumble
Monthly.  Thirteen times
In a year I lose all
Hope of life
That's normal.

I forget what I am
In the brightest darkness
I forget the man
I should be.

Please, Lord, help me
Save them from my self
Transformation and tears.

Protect them from the piercing
Moon, that cold, unearthly gaze
Makes fire in my veins.

I cannot help
It, must stare back
Toward a quieter time
That never was at all, it seems
So far away.

And so, I pace myself
Up and down these tired halls
That echo innocence,
Laughter and boiling blood.

Tracing, retracing and treading
Lightly, hiding in the darkness
Of the moon.