Weretiger

jungle sunset
savage shadows deepen
gloom cloaks sorcery

weird chants
sultry air pulsates
fey power stirs

dreadful shrieks
pain torments changing form
magic remoulds flesh

doffed humanity
shed skin reveals striped pelt
man becomes beast

rank odour
hunter follows sweaty trail
cat stalks human prey

sleeping village
drowsy watchmen dream
brute enters unseen

open window
amber eyes spy quarry
lithe menace leaps

familiar bedside
hated rival slumbers
bared fangs gleam

mauling fiend
claws wreak gory vengeance
brother slays brother

stealthy retreat
darkness conceals assassin
forest hides truth

reeling ritual
arcane act reverses spell
beast becomes man

crimson sunrise
cries break morning hush
dawn brings sorrow

consoling embrace
killer comforts widow
evil goes unknown

(originally published in Night to Dawn, Issue 23, April 2013.)

Richard H. Fay currently resides in upstate New York with his wife and two cats. Formerly a laboratory-technician-turned-home-educator, Richard now spends his days juggling numerous art and writing projects. History, myth, folklore, and legend serve as inspiration for his creative endeavours. Many of the fruits of his labour have appeared in various e-zines, print magazines, and anthologies.

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