"Vampire Linked Landays" by the Editor

Vampire Linked Landays

Steven Wittenberg Gordon

I am pursued, cursed, and reviled.  Why?

Unwillingly was I made.  Not born to this was I.

Unwillingly was I made, not born.

That only blood slakes my burning thirst, am I to blame?

That only blood slakes my burning thirst

Is the sad truth of my existence--my only food.

Is the sad truth of my existence

Unacceptable?  Anathema?  Monstrosity?

Unacceptable!  Anathema!

The villagers point and shout at me, stakes of oak poised.

The villagers point and shout at me--

Not a drop of charity in them for a lost soul.

Not a drop of charity in them,

So why should I feel any remorse in slaying them?

So why should I feel any remorse?
I am pursued, cursed, and reviled.  Why, then, should I care?

Poet's Notes:  Vampires are made, not born, usually against their wills.  But are they created evil, or are they made evil by the way they are treated?