Shape Shifter

The rise of the moon charges the air and calls out to the undead. My eyes open to see only darkness in my resting place. I stir slowly as the desire of hunger courses through my body. I feel like I must feed. I exit the catacomb of my cardboard hideout. Gone are the days of myths and coffins. Capes and curses. And a prince to rule our likes. What prince would live in the alleys and shadows of society while feeding on the destitute. Their blood is thin and vile, but it has sustainance. Tonight the moon calls. It begs. It howls. It's power is beyond my control. I place myself beneath the stars and stand before the orb that beckons me to rise from my sleep. I envision a bat and I am airborn. With fluttering wings I dart beneath the streetlights. I grasp the limb of a tree near a well traveled path. The city park is quiet on this Autumn eve. I watch as the creatures of the night begin to stir below me. The smell of human flesh invades my nostrils, even before I hear the approaching footsteps. Anticipation builds as the hope of rich, healthy blood presents itself. I see the form of a female as she jogs along the dimly lit path. Ahh yes. A woman. The sweetest nectar of all the living souls. I wait until she passes beneath me. Then I drop to the ground and land in human form. I envision the wolf. I am running through the brush to get ahead of my prey. I linger just off the path matching her stride. I see a small clearing ahead so I race to be there first. I find a shadow beside the path where I crouch and wait. Again the smell of flesh approaches. The footsteps are like thunder in my ears. Here she comes. I leap from the shadows and I see her startled eyes as she raises her hand to fend me off. GARRRRR!!! Suddenly my eyes are burning. DAMMIT!!! Why do these women carry mace? That wasn't a problem in the old days. I retreat into the darkness gasping and coughing and rubbing my eyes. I'm going back to the alley to find a bum to feed on so I can get back to sleep. I'll try again next moon. Rockman :-) Submitted to the "Poems From A Vampire" contest.