Dark was the night
And a cold wind blew
As I left town’s light
To walk close to you.
Up the narrow trail,
Through the icy snow,
The wind seemed to wail
At the icy hearts below.
Here, at the black mountain,
The mountain long forbidden,
I could now at last go
Where my mind was bidden.
The tavern lights may shine
Through the blackened night,
But the glow of merry wine
Never gave true light.
Working late one day,
Serving golden ales,
A man came by my way
With charm that rarely fails.
His breath sour from much wine,
The wine I served but never drank,
Drew his body all too close to mine,
That body that always stank.
I did not want him quite so close,
I did not want him quite so near,
I did not want his breath, so gross
Whispering in my ear.
He kissed me, reached out, and I ran,
In panic, for he pursued—
Fast, fast, fast as I can
Away into the blackened wood.
But he was a huntsman, knew it well—
I was not safe there,
Was not safe there in that hell
Where he set out his lusts bare.
One path caught my eye—
The one where no one goes.
It reached up toward the sky,
How high? Black mountain only knows.
Frightened I was, to go there—
But I knew he would not follow.
Even he would never dare
To go up to your hollow.
In the village, they had always known
Who you were, what you were—
Given you that blackened zone,
In fear of palest vampire.
Running, running, the man called out—
Weeping, entreating me not to go there.
But suddenly, I heard him shout
As though his soul was now laid bare.
I stopped—turned—looked to see
What could frighten such a man.
For it could only, only be
The creature on the village ban.
Silent, standing on the pathway,
Black cloak stark o’er pure white snow,
The sight of you sent him away,
Away to the bright town below.
I looked upon your face, afraid—
The white skin, fanged teeth: black eyes.
Had running from one danger made
Another now arise?
Exhausted from my flight,
My knees caused me to fall.
My eyes saw no more moonlight
And black darkness consumed all.
Black filled my eyes once more
Awakening, in a different place,
Than we had been before,
Away from the great chase.
Shaking, taking in your face again—
You told me not to be afraid,
Told me I’m much safer than
The place where I had stayed.
Slowly, you got me to speak,
And listened to my tale.
Your black eyes seemed to shriek
In rage at the wine-sodden male.
You told me then how you had come
To be a cursed vampire.
We found our selves running from
The exact same kind of fire.
Tears filled my eyes,
To hear this wretched story.
To comfort a vampire could be unwise,
But I held you, stroked that head of worry.
Several days we spent together,
Staying from the village, though.
No wish had we to return to the weather
Of cold hearts in town below.
In the days, I’d enjoy the light
And find food for me—
Then you’d come out at night
And together we would be.
Meanwhile, in the town,
The man’s rage boiled over,
Rage at the vampire who’d thrown
Away his chance to have a lover.
We watched from your high place,
Watched the town, bathed in moonlight
Arming themselves for a chase
To engage you in a fight.
For this, I wept with worry—
For you had grown dear to me.
You assured me, then, that surely
You would be safe and free.
One evening, walking, hand in hand
Your black cloak around my shoulder
We scaled the mountain’s summit to stand
Upon the highest boulder.
There, at last, I said the words unspoken,
How I loved your gentle darkness
And you confessed, in words so broken
Of your love for my own brightness.
Two worlds together, at last united—
Black and white, white and black.
Not long, alas, for the townsman sighted
An opportunity to attack.
The villagers he put in lines,
Circling black mountain’s peak.
Hiding in the shade of pines,
As he’d planned all week.
He trapped us in the open air
Before the time of dawn.
I reached out to you, unable to bear
Your change dust in rubble gone.
So, I asked you something strange,
To do what you had fought so hard
Not to do with me in range
And bite my neck; make it scarred.
You objected, not wishing me to die
Of your curse, by your side.
But I insisted, with the saddened sigh
That my heart had long ago died.
I did want you, oh so close,
I did want you, oh so near,
I did want your breath, like rose
Draining blood along with fear.
Side by side, we watched the sunrise—
Not such a bad way to go,
For light to flash in our eyes,
Then to be black ashes in the snow.
Not one townsmen honors our death,
None ever visit our black grave—
But none will ever take our breath,
None will ever come to rave.
Free, at last, in death’s sweet curse
Black eyes now black ashes
My love’s lot will never get worse,
His back receive no more lashes.
