The Beast Of Sutters' Fen

Swirling thick about my door,
a Hellish fog can not obscure
the path that winds its way to Sutters' Fen

Dimly lit by glowing moss
that hangs from trees which reach across
a gulf of time that severs now from when

A swollen moon begins to rise
and gives pale light to Godless skies,
my plodding feet grow damp as I go deep

The evil that has lingered here
so many years,  still nurtures fear
within the hearts of those who seldom sleep

A mournful howling that began
from throat of neither Beast nor Man
yet clearly sharing attributes of each,

grows in volume,  fills the air
with snarls of terror and despair
that echo far beyond where they should reach

My fear gives way to stark surprise
as I begin to realize
these fiendish sounds are coming forth from me!

My clothing starts to shred and tear,
I snarl as clumps of mangy hair
spring forth from every inch of skin set free

My limbs grow twisted as the trees
which hide me like some foul disease
from the prying eyes of mortal men

and so it is I come to find
a painful truth within my mnd,
I am the Beast that lurks in Sutters' Fen!

C.  Lon  R.  Bruso