The Gentle Vampire Cometh

Late evening comes with its nocturnal chill;
mist seeps beneath your door with bolts and lock.
I do not enter with malignant will;
you open up before I softly knock.

I come as friend and lover; you’ll adore
the rush of my desire. Primeval urges seep,
then crash like waves upon an island’s shore.
Are you alone? Your mother is asleep?

Don’t be afraid; I now inhale your breath,
so sweet as though you were a rose in prime;
your throat invites my bite; the kiss of death
that offers life beyond your own short time.

I listen to the turmoil in your breast
and sense your need for more than mortal love;
enraptured you will ride upon love’s crest.
Now come; but be forewarned, yet spotless dove,

held in my arms you’ll sleep in our cold tomb,
not quite in Heaven, yet—not quite in Hell—
for with our love must come such taste of doom.
Already nears the day; my love, sleep well.

Jerry Kemp

Jerry has written and published two books: A Bouquet of Poetic Thoughts II and Galloping Pegasus, four humorous novellas. Retired from his horse ranch and other activities, Jerry lives with his wife, two dogs, two cats, and numerous birds at the outskirts of the Sonoran desert in Arizona. Celebrating his 85th birthday in October 2019, ignoring his Parkinson’s symptoms, Jerry continues on in his pursuit of happiness. He still paints, enjoys classical music and poetry by the old masters and, of course--writing.

No “Crossing” the Vampire

Hills blend into the brewing night;
this valley becomes the domain
of nocturnal creatures.  Nighthawk,
owl, and fox hunt mice; small lives.
Tonight one predator will drink the blood,
feed on the soul.  Mine.

The first bite stung; the second one
still burns, but I stand a chance
to avert the third incision that would
condemn me to living death.

In the distance drones a bell,
the bell of Saint Boniface church.
It calls the faithful to prayer.
I must find refuge there.  I have been
marked . . . and he is coming.

My home no longer is a safe haven;
I have no Christian artifact—and even
worse—no faith.  A cross?
The church!  I remember a church—
and the crossed timber; the symbol
of salvation.  Where is my pride,
my skepticism; where is my insolence now?

I glance back.  The dark form of the Undead
follows me, and I must hurry, flee.
Oh, he is fast!  If only I could reach the church.
I will cower before the Redeemer’s cross—
seek refuge in his power.

I have wings—or so it seems;
I race the final yards; do not look back!
He is behind me; I feel the icy breath;
the fiery eyes of the hunter boring into me.

One last effort; I run with burning lungs.  No door—
but I am inside the House of God.  Safe!
Safe? but where is the cross with the contorted
image of the crucified Savior?
Again I hear the bell—but it is miles away—

O God!  I have entered the old church,
the abandoned one.  No crucifix.  They had built
a new one!  I curse myself, for I should have
known, but I had lost my way long time ago.
I did not care.  Religion is for the old
and feeble, so said I.  Oh, my lack of faith!

The Undead enters, stands behind me,
and now he grips my shoulders.  And now . . .
I do not struggle but offer my throat to savage
teeth, while the distant bell tolls for me.



Jerry Kemp

Jerry has written and published two books: A Bouquet of Poetic Thoughts II and Galloping Pegasus, four humorous novellas. Retired from his horse ranch and other activities, Jerry lives with his wife, two dogs, two cats, and numerous birds at the outskirts of the Sonoran desert in Arizona. Celebrating his 85th birthday in October 2019, ignoring his Parkinson’s symptoms, Jerry continues on in his pursuit of happiness. He still paints, enjoys classical music and poetry by the old masters and, of course--writing.