Lycanthropus

"Lycanthropus" by C. Edgar Bolen is a mid-20th century narrative poem that uses the idea of werewolves to look at big ideas, like changing who you are and your most basic desires. The poem paints a strong picture of someone turning into a wolf when it gets dark, showing how they change both inside and out. As the person becomes a wolf, hunting becomes tempting. The poem makes you think about what it's like to let your bad side take over, as the main character enjoys being a wolf and the thrill of hunting, but also has mixed feelings about it. By mentioning old gods and using dark, descriptive language, the poem looks at what happens when we give in to our animal instincts.