Dance with me until the moon hides its face,
And the sun attempts to quicken the pace.
From the sunlight, the vampire turns his face,
And dancers twirl to the light’s frenzied pace.
PREY FOR THE DEAD
by Susanne Leist
“Open the door and
Step inside.
The darkness beckons to you.
Welcome!”
The wind sighs its plaintive plea.
Cold air swooshes past my face.
“Do you hear the music?
A party is waiting for you in the drawing room.
Don’t be afraid.
Peek in.
Can you see the dancers?
Twirling around and around.
You can see through them?
Can’t you?
That’s because they’re transparent,
An echo from the distant past.
Those who lived here before
Who now inhabit this old house.”
A gowned figure of a woman turns to me.
The flesh slowly shrivels from her body,
Leaving behind a skeleton of bones.
She cackles, “You can now join us.”
Her hand reaches for me.
I turn to flee.
The windows and doors snap shut.
I jiggle the door handle.
Locked.
Trapped in the deep recesses
of my mind.
No escape.
