POETRY

Our Vampire Lord

The vampire living on top of the hill
Has ruled our town with terror centuries.
He tells us that he keeps us safe and will
As long as he exists — and we must please
Him, feed his thirst or, we’ve learned, he will spill
More blood than we have given him. The breeze
From off his hill, his home brings down the lure
Of blood and death — his poison is our cure.