Retribution By Moonlight

This week I’ve got another song-inspired poem for you to continue the series, and this one was written with ‘She-Wolf’ by Megadeth in mind. I think it’s a nice mix of a bit of fantasy like last week and the more supernatural side of my writing (similar to Twisted Bloodlines), so I hope you enjoy this one!

First Poem In This Series: To Witness, To Behold, inspired by ‘Sowing The Seeds Of Love’ by Tears For Fears

Previous Poem In This Series: Where The Gods And Rats Watch, inspired by ‘115’ by Elena Siegman and Kevin Sherwood

Retribution By Moonlight

She is the last; when the moon is full,
she is furred and fanged and glistening
with the bared teeth of vengeance.

It is not your fault. It wasn’t you
who brought steel and silver against them,
who reduced her civilisation to one.

But it is you she sees, with the foresight
that kept her from the hunters’ weaponed fear.
Beyond wolf, she has worn many names, all meaning witch.

You don’t know this. You are alone and stumbling
and wishing this shortcut was shorter,
and did not weave between so many trees and roots.

She will appear. In a few moments, she will strain
and shed her hide for skin, and appear as an angel
to guide and help, with soft words and promises.

In a way, you are privileged–she takes on the burden
of suppressing her lunar instincts for you,
but you will never know the pains she has gone to.

The ruse will pain her, human and beast warring
within her, and an argument will be put forward
to save you, but the wolf always howls loudest.

You will not be deceived for a moment too long,
just enough to disorient you further, to move you
away from where you would be found, to prepare.

For now, you stumble, and she haunts your steps–
you never had a chance against ancestral guilt,
a weight you cannot relieve, a scent you cannot mask.

The moon’s anger is cold and ever-lasting,
and she is its servant, creeping closer to answering
the never-quenched desire for retribution.

Nature has been wronged, and here you are,
caught in a centuries-old crossfire–
if only you had her foresight, to flee.

But now she is here; turn, and see your fate.

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