Let’s spend the night on vampire strings

hear eerie beckoning violins

in the abandoned symphony hall,

gold leaf flaking off the walls.

Velvet seats all folded now

in empty circles, vacant stalls,

warm red cushions fade to rust,

worn out curtains turn to dust.

No more curtsies, no more bows,

sold-out concerts, one night shows,

shadows ahiver in the wings 

spend the night on vampire strings.

Floating spirits weave around,

tracing music's once-loved sound.

Forget encores and applause,

the vampire strings, screech and gnaw.

Cobwebs hang from balconies,

transparent fading memories:

yearning, calling, rasp and soar,

the vampire strings screech and gnaw.

Inviting screams inside your head,

a searing song of the undead:

yearning, calling, rasp and soar,

the vampire strings, screech and gnaw.

 (c) Sam Burcher