Images 1.7 and 3.7

Shapeshifting: Two Shadorma

1.
Shapeshifters–
dwell in the in-between,
nightmare beasts
given form
by our baleful innermost
demons. Darkness freed.

2.
Desire
calls, shameless siren,
and female,
of course. So,
hobble her, keep her locked-in
house and mind. But then

remember
the murk-minded who
fear women,
abhor cats,
toss independence, bring plagues,
rivers of dark dread.

Paul Brookes is hosting a month-long ekphrastic challenge using folklore images to celebrate the launch of his new poetry collection, “As Folktaleteller.” You can see the images here and also read the other responses.