Tony Schanuel
Lycanthropy Is Not A Disease, or I Never Asked For A Cure
Sometimes I wake covered in blood from the change;
my crisp sheets
wrinkled and stained,
my body
a dozen shades of red.
Sometimes I lick up the flakes
like paprika or red pepper or even
dried blood
and think of simpler times.
With the smell sharp in my nose
I would run,
ground spongy beneath my paws.
Eventually they found me.
It was really only a matter of time.
They took me near dawn,
still howling,
hysterical at their intrusion.
The needle full of Thorazine stung
but calling my parents,
that stung more.
The lady in blue tightened the cuffs
but I just snarled,
bit her hand and shook my head,
laughing open-mouthed
when she stared at her blood
on my lips and teeth.
Now I only watch the phases
from my bedroom window,
shackled in silver.
The hair loss never bothers me,
but I still miss the moon.
M.K. Zvokel is a queer trans Jewish librarian living in Tampa, Florida with one cat and many rejection letters. They have degrees from Stony Brook University and San Jose State University. Forthcoming work will be in the Poet’s Choice’s collection Injured. They are not actually a werewolf.
Tony Schanuel is an award-winning photographer and visual artist who has fused a professional background in photography, digital technology ,and painting and mark making to create fine art that transcends those mediums. His work has been featured in Digital Imaging Magazine, Computer Graphic Magazine, Wild Heart Journal, St. Louis Design Magazine, and is a featured artist in Cyber Palette and Extreme Graphics, two books showcasing digital artists and their work. He has exhibited at the Florence Biennale and his art is held in private and corporate collections including the Fine Arts Museum of Houston permanent photographic collection. http://www.schanuelphoto.com/.