Vigilance

an epic poem that begins the story of a vampire...

The journey of my forsaken faith
began on a quiet, lonely night.
And all I've ever believed about fate
would be a test of His might.

Here within the walls of this abbey
I was to perform the evenings last rite.
But no parishioner was to be found
so I began to extinguish all candlelight.

A strange chill beset me all at once
as if the night air had a frigid bite.
The hairs on my arms stood on end
as if they know of an ominius fright.

A horrible howl bellowed outside
sounding of a ruckas, a terrible fight.
The church doors flung open wide
and before my stood a ghastly wight.

A creature of unimaginable dread
it pounced to me, a predator in flight.
Once upon me I saw it bear ghastly fangs
then pin me, upon my neck it took sight.

It's fangs pierced my flesh with incredible ease
and the life within me nearly left this plight.
Though, in an instant, the beast was no more
leaving me drifting in a reverie like blight.

The dream became nightmare then dream again
with hauntings and plesentries drifting, then alight.
Then desent to sickness, my insides turned out
the fires that burned were of hell's spite.

After the flames subsided I felt at peace
calm became a confidence that felt right.
But events of the night quickly came back
as i saw the wrought of my church site.

The blood on my attire streched to the floor
and to the pews, and my chest felt tight.
A deep concern, a dread prevaded my sense
as I grasped what took place in this benight.

A dark stranger spoke to me from the shadows
"You are now a beautiful beast, you should take delight."
But the circumstance of my condition gave me pause
"It would appear that I should be nothing but contrite."

"Save your humility for the life you've left behind."
His retort was cold, though his affect was trite.
"I fear, with your revelation, my soul is surely damned."
I meant to imply sarcasm with that little slight.

Because what he spoke of could not be true
That my substance is new could not be right.
His claim was of pure fairy tale and fiction
For it was of a vampire that he did cite.

"Think carefully of what has happened this eve."
He warmed with a calm that was light.
"Even now you know a new verve of spirit."
I could feel that truth, but it did not excite.

For how could the Lord condemn me this way
I'd been true and loyal with all my might.
But how could I deny this stranger's words
I did awake to a soaring confident height.

He warned that my life in His service is done
This new path was not a choice, or mine to fight
"Be damned and destroyed or espoused and embraced
only blood from the Stone will bring you sight."

For all the concern that I began to feel
Something innate drew me to trust this night
I was bit and did bleed by a horrid beast
So my leave of this life must surely be right.

I have no idea what this future will hold
But God has a will that holds my soul tight
If this be my lot then I shall live it in vain
And know that my destiny will express His might.

Reviews

[Muse]

interesting perspective. A bit sick and perverse to think of vampires as being part of God's will. It's border-line blasphemy. Good writing...you are brave to penn about the damned in such a glorified light.

[FireWoman]

You eloquently tell the Vampire's tale. I recently read Deborah Harnkness- The Discovery of Witches. It told the story of modern day vampires and their plight. You made this flow and actually form a seed of possibility. Wonderfully told.

[Harley Ann]

wow. this was a really interesting point of view form a vampire...
very different; I like that it's not a sinful thing, being one of these terrors, and that it is instead God's will. Also, the wording and rhythm is pretty great :)

[Goodbye]

I'm not usually into Vampire schtuff, but this kept me interested and engaged. Very, very good write, Charles!

[hannahspelledbackwards]

This is....amazing. How you kept the same rhyme scheme and so delicately placed words was impressing.
I loved the story line and how you added dialogue but still remained interesting.
VERY good job! God is good!

[deeps]

This is so powerful and honest. I like this, your last stanza really speaks out loud. I like this write alot. God may hold the soul tight, but he does let it give so we have the sight to breathe and keep on living in the world. Awesome write!

[November_Rain]

i love the last little paragraph that says "He warned that my life in His service is done
This new path was not a choice, or mine to fight
"Be damned and destroyed or espoused and embraced
only blood from the Stone will bring you sight."

so many words but souch little time to say how wonderfull and kind of exciting this poem is, it really kept me reading on and on.
Super job!!

[Marie Harrison]

What fierce and striking write. Damned to a life where only blood from the Stone will bring you Sight! Chilling poem. I love the dark ominous setting of the abbey and the sudden surprise attack. The length is perfect for the story to unfurl and pull us in. Outstanding penning of a Vampire story.