I stare into his hungry eyes,

Once so well known to me,

This stranger standing in his place,

A shade of what could be.



I trace the lines upon his face,

Once naked to the eye,

This wanderer of world’s unknown,

With no tears left to cry.



I touch the cold ice of his cheek,

Once warm and flushed with joy,

This silent hunter of the night,

Turned monster from a boy.



I watch him lick his blood-tinged fangs,

Once shaped to form a smile,

This creature from the dark abyss,

Grown stronger all the while.



I close my eyes to sense his mind,

Once so in tune with mine,

This demon of another time,

That loves to cross the line.



I walk away from his embrace,

Once all I’d hoped to feel,

This symbol of a secret life,

Too dark to be made real.



I close the door and turn the key,

Once kept far out of reach,

This chance to be a better man,

Now all that I beseech.