Point of View

This poem is told through a third-person point of view using the pronoun “They” to describe collectives of men and women. Although not quite objective, the speaker is an omniscient narrator who is able to see into the shifting cultures of these people. They express insight into the thoughts of both men and women; the men reflect that “it was only flirting” and “fun” (Lines 11, 12), while the women have “airbrushed short-term memories” (Line 20) and “hours they can’t account for” (Line 35). Through the narrator, the reader is given a glimpse into what makes these people who they are, and how their identities are in a state of flux.

Language and Meaning

“Update on Werewolves” uses contemporary, accessible language, although the majority of it is used in a metaphorical context. The first stanza uses phrases like “bluejean clothing” and “frat boys” (Lines 2, 6) to root the poem...