The Wolf of Magdeburg

Werewolf Folktale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O Magistrate of Magdeburg,

Where have the tiny children gone?

Infants taken beneath moonlight,

Silenced cries forever foregone.

 

He roams the streets of the city,

With his sword, and his men in tow,

Seeking murderous wolves of Harz,

To kill with a heart stabbing blow.

 

Ahead in a darkened alley,

She wanders alone and insane,

In search of her small child’s killer,

Mother of the first baby slain.

 

“The night has teeth!” she cries aloud,

“The night has claws, I have found them!”

She springs ahead as he follows,

In the thick night of beasts condemned.

 

He hears her screams in the distance,

With his sword, he charges ahead,

Standing on her twisted body,

A wolf licks the blood of its dead.

 

Aside lie a crying baby,

Through the wolf’s heart he plunged his knife,

Transforming in front of his eyes,

The beast who lie dead, is his wife.

Author's Note

This was inspired by a folktale I recently read which takes place in Magdeburg, Germany. During the winter months, wolves would descend from the Harz Mountains into the town of Magdeburg in search of food. One winter, babies began disappearing from their beds, and wolf prints were found leading from their homes. Citizens sought the help of Magistrate Brebus. He and his men embark on a search and seizure (kill) of these murderous wolves. During the search, the Magistrate is attacked by a woman who at first he believes is a wolf and almost kills her, but then realizes it is the mother of the first child slain who has since gone mad. She tells him she knows where the killer is and runs off. He follows, but is far behind, and soon hears her screams. He comes upon an old hunting lodge where inside a large wolf stands over her mangled body and that of a crying baby. He pulls his sword and stabs it through the heart of the beast, who then transforms into a human. Lying dead at his feet, is his wife.

Reviews

[The Viking]

This poem rules. It's short, but it tells a nice and dark tale with a shocking twist at the end. I love to read poetry written about old legends and dark times of history. This was an awesome interpretation of that story. I don't know if I have already or not, but thanks for the review on "When Angels Dare To Dream." I've been reading through your stuff, and I like your style.

[angelinmypocket]

Your sense of drama and the surprise twist at the ending makes your write very outstanding Dani. It's visual quality brings the story and characters to life....making them seem real. And indeed, all folklore has a basis of reality however far-fetched it might seem.
Love/Liz/angelinmypocket

[Legion]

That is a pretty wicked tale. I like the twist at the end. Aren't folk tales great? :) That picture you posted with it fits perfectly.

[Silent Kim aka mizmetap..]

impressive, excellent story and the poem refelects it well. Very nice write.

[Bane of Fortune]

ooo cool story
nicely done
wish i had wrote this ... lol

[Gandré]

This is well written, the meter is always great in your poems and also the tale. I didn't know this saga. Amazing, you wrote about it...I learnt something. what a story.... and you made it vivid. Be well. love, l.

Hello Dani, thanks for liking my poem.. and you are sheer loving heart, saying so...

[Sean M. Addams]

love the darkness in this piece and the imagery in this is fantasic ..... very impressive and well done ........ fav lines..He hears her screams in the distance,

With his sword, he charges ahead,

Standing on her twisted body,

A wolf licks the blood of its dead.



Aside lie a crying baby,

Through the wolf's heart he plunged his knife,

Transforming in front of his eyes,

The beast who lie dead, is his wife. this is going in my favs!!!!!

[TamiViolet]

Perfect in light of the season, Dani. I always enjoy tales from the darkside because of the underlying truth there. The photo serves as a wonderful visual for this poetic tale.

These lines stand out for me :

Standing on her twisted body,
A wolf licks the blood of its dead.

Thanks for sharing the legend with your readers as this background is quite useful although the piece can easily stand alone. Chillin work, my friend :-)
x

[Antony]

I loved the twist of this, you have some great lines in here, this fits the season perfectly and that photo's image tells the story, but not until we have read it. I liked these lines. I find them humorous.

"The night has teeth!" she cries aloud,
"The night has claws, I have found them!"

Tony

[Mr. Lopez]

This was really fun to read and very different for you. Mystery and depth , blood and love. Great stuff.

"The night has teeth!"

Loved these lines.

Mr.Lopez