wretched vampire
comes empty in the dark
to drain love and bright hope
from the caring and unwary
until they are left as husks
wondering where it all went

wretched vampire
comes again and again
breathing guilt like poison gas
until the body is drained dry
dead in its self-loathing
a pitiful sight to behold

wretched vampire
moves along in a moment
stalking victim after victim
leaving pain and lost dreams
like discarded trash in its wake
the perfect, psychopath predator

“take my pain and emptiness
consume it and make it your own
and i will drink my fill of your joy
until i am asleep like a glutton after the feast
and you lie as bones upon the platter –
forgotten.”