A Vampire’s Apology (10/18/23) Feed me the laughter of propriety With a dagger forged of silver. Drown me on a stage for entertainment— Make sure the microphone on my heart Is on full volume. Cast the audience in its silence, Force me still To listen to your praise Not to me, Never to me To yourself Oh! How amazing you are ‘No one has hands as stained as yours Everyone pause for applause, How greatly deserved. You'll have to excuse me ‘You stapled my hands to the steak, My fault! I should have reminded you to cut them off. I couldn't, you see For you stole my voice ‘And locked it in your graveyard.Bury me alive Useless as am ‘When you get the chance To check me off your to do list I'll make sure to bow. My fault, I know. Apologies from your less than loyal servant, While 1 secretly hope for the freedom Of your slight slip of hand. Dead to you I may be, Chained to the stage you are. But! Scarred from the years Will be released to bum In the sun of the world You left behind