Garlic will not act as safety

no crucifix to ward them off 

it’s never blood they seek

but all that makes you

is their meal of choice

the friend in foul weather

the stirrer of tempests at sea

the first to attack

when vulnerability appears

they seek their way in

we become a wall

they cannot scale

a black hole beyond their understanding

the gray rock, without interest

without color

to safeguard our energy

to protect our peace

to starve the vampire

preying upon our lives – Caroline A. Slee