Death toll

For the Crimson Twilight Contest, a Huitain.

Word Prompt: Wolves

Finally, the knell has been rung.
As their claws pierce your tender flesh,
Blood spurting, taints the dim stars strung.
This will give many a gooseflesh
For wolves will quench their thirst afresh.
Time for dirges, though left unsung
Praying for those whom Death has stung.
It is your gore that they refresh.

Form:Huitain

The Huitain is a French form. The Italian Octave developed by Aristote and Torquato Tasso, stood model for the Huitain.

In the 14th century the huitains were actually written as a verse of a primitive ballade. The first known author of the Huitain is Guillaume de Machaut. The early huitain had two rhymes in its rhyme scheme (ABABBAAB)

One century later, the definitive form of the huitain was formed. The huitain contains eight lines, with eight syllables per line. (ABABBCBC)