Prose

I greeted those who stood huddled on the porch
then stepped inside.
In the center of the large room was an open coffin.
The face of the deceased was softly illuminated
by two large torchiere floor lamps
which stood somberly at either end
of the great room.

Alone, I approached the coffin
with tears streaming from my eyes,
and stood gazing for long moments
at Magdalena's beautiful...almost serene face.

Bending low, I kissed her cool inanimate cheek,
and as I did, she raised her head, opened her mouth
and bit into my left jugular-drinking deeply.

"Forever," she sighed, as she lowered
her once again lifeless head
back onto the satin pillow
and resumed her temporary death.

In an exquisitely weakened and erotic state,
I made my way back onto the porch
covering the gash on my neck
as best I could with a trembling hand.

I then managed to stagger home
by making myself nearly invisible to passers-by.
Upon arriving, I quickly released the latch
to the cellar door, and after descending
into the darkness below...entered my room.