NOSFERATU ON A SECOND DATE

By Mark Fiddes

You want me to love your shadows

like some matinee Dracula in blue jeans.

You say to turn all your Rorschach bats

into endangered butterflies,

the kind you feel in your stomach.

Swallowtails

Blue Morphos,

Peacocks, Malachites,

Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals

Brown Fritillaries, Marbled Whites

Green-Veined Whites, Bath Whites

Purple Hairtails, Small Coppers,

Painted Ladies, Brimstones

Camberwell Beauties,

Orange-Tips

Such a dazzling riot inside,

sepals, anthers and nectar everywhere.

And when the wings come loose

because the blood has dried

from their frail tubes, what then?

At least you know where you are

with a vampire.

Regular sleeping and eating habits.

Near-life experiences in skin and bone.

Immortal empires of dust - all yours

with a choice of winged denizens

from the Star Garden,

designed for the human abdomen.

Death’s Heads,

Argent and Sables,

Satin Lutestrings, Silver Hooks

Foxglove Pugs, Liquorice Piercers,

Elephant Hawks, Feathered Gothics,

Chimney Sweepers, Grey Daggers,

Lunar Hornets, Spindle Ermines,

Dingy Mochas, Black Rustics

Pale Brindled Beauties

True Lovers’ Knots

So, moths or butterflies?

Or maybe stick with your God

who leaves flight duties to the angels

and always forgets your birthday.

I’m a good listener.

We’ve got all night.

#darkpoetsclub