Chapter 1: Two Frightened Children
The girls watched 
A beast arouse
Their mother
She was gone now

Kindness and cruelty 
Janus-faced love
A penchant for leaving them 
Frightened and repentant

Guilt and helplessness
Sharp claws swiping at them
They wanted their mother back 
The one who loved them

Chapter 2: One Tired Mother
Exhaustion and a hot temper
She did it for them
If she didn’t discipline now,
It’d be her forever regret

An overwhelmed heart and mom rage
Went hand in hand
She couldn’t control it
The children didn’t understand

She knew they saw a monster 
When she was like this
She let them believe that
It was the only way they could process it 

Chapter 3: Three Deep Breaths 
Finally, each let loose a long breath
Bloodstained claws now gentle hands
Whispers came and went, soft and slow, 
I love you, but please, don’t do that again

Words inspired by A Panther in Mother’s Clothes (2022) by May Moe. A watercolour and acrylic painting. It is based on a Chinese folktale which parallels Red Riding Hood, where an animal eats and impersonates a family member. Photo: Miriam Berkery. View the full collection and artist's statement here.