A Southern GentlemanThe lane lay long and winding
Before his motionless form
The moments past still pending
As the sun dipped beneath river’s shore

As the sun began to fade
And the stars came out to shine
Crickets began to chorus
The coyote began to whine

The sun soon vanished behind the mountain’s shadow
Sweet night’s blanket gave him start
On his journey ‘long the road
His steady stride put to the beating of his heart

His heart of which was pounding
As he quickened down the road
For still he was uncertain
Of where this lonely lane would go

Night’s shade did embrace him
And soon sane eyes became wild
For in this darkened world ‘round him
He became the night’s child

He raced his way now, down the beaten path
As his eyes caught a glimpse of light’s golden shaft
That cast odd shadows to his new keen eyes
The demon with in him began a cackling laugh

Smells filled his senses
Of which he’d never known
Except in this heightened state of being
He smiled, ivory fangs exposed

Once scent drifted through the air
Sharp and lovely—the sweet blood of a maiden fair
She stood among the apple blossoms and among the pears
The wind began to whistle and jostled fair maiden’s ebony hair

Her soft eyes found him on the path
And so she did beckon him forth
He strode slowly towards her figure
And with kind words she spoke, “Heading north?”

“No, fair lady,” he replied with grace
“Just passing through, on a late night stroll.”
She shifts her feet, taking in handsome features
“Perhaps you’d enjoy company with your restless soul?”

How little did she know of her folly
Until they stood beneath the willow tree
And he drew her closer to whisper,
“Fair maiden, do you love me?”

Though instinct deep inside her told her to scream and run
She held him close and whispered,
“Young southern gentleman, I do, though I know not why.”
He only smiled, and in the darkness kissed her

He kissed not her cheek nor lips
But brushed along her throat’s sweet pulse
She shivered with disturbed ecstasy
And knew this love was false

In her mind, she knew that this was only sin
As young Gentleman took his first taste
Fangs broke the surface of the maiden’s milky skin
She shivered and accepted her fate

As blood flew gently, from life to undying corpse
As heart’s beat began to slow
And life took its final course
Into the dark unknown

The kiss was finally brokenAnd he laid her on the ground
Young Southern Gentleman turned and left the valley
As dawn’s faint light came 'round

Crickets no longer sang
Their song of lamenting strings
The coyote’s whine proceeded to cease
The morning birds took wing

Darkness drifted back
And held themselves within the shadows
So in day fair maiden’s company
Could find her body hallow

Cries of pain and anguish
Songs of final rest and despair
And one man’s promise
“I’ll kill you, demon and revenge my maiden fair.”

But as the nights come and go
And each comes with his two feet
For in this darkened valley
There are many more maidens to meet

The lonely sight of a stranger
Walking up the lane
Will always be remembered
As a maiden’s pain

So tread with caution on a darkened night
But do not go in fear
For though the fate seems likely
Dawn is always near.