From next (1988), "shapeshifter poems" Summary

This is a series of poems about abuse, using the image of a shapeshifter, which in science fiction or fantasy writing means someone who can change into an animal shape, often but not always at will, usually for evil purposes. The first verse, labeled 1, addresses a legend of the shapeshifter, based on lore in "the women's tent," which would place it in tribal societies, where women retreat to a special tent for their periods. This verse blames the moon for shapeshifting, because the moon enters into men, actually "following some men into themselves," which places the blame upon the men as well. Although they shapeshift for a short time, it is "dreadful," because the men aren't themselves. They "wear strange hands" and walk through the homes at night, and their daughters know them...