The Old Vampires
By Patricia Russo


The old vampires put on long black dresses
to conceal their thinness
and arrange bright pink shawls over their shoulders
(not red, red is too old-fashioned)
and pretend they have invitations to the wedding.


No one challenges them.
They move through the reception hall stealthily
keeping to the walls
picking up nearly empty glasses to hold as camouflage
until they reach the gifts table


and sip cautiously from the jealousies and the hatreds,
the sharp bit of them like ripe pineapple on the tongue,
then, egging each other on,
they taste the hopes,
so frothy and intoxicating.


The one person who recognizes them from the old days
says nothing, but lifts his own glass in silent salute,
recalling a time when he envied them their certainties,
recalling the tastes of his own blood
on their lips.


Patricia Russo's work has appeared in One Art, Zin Daily, Wild Greens, Vagabond City, Hex Literary, and Eulogy Press.