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.