New Orleans Home Rules
by Michael Doyle

"Whites Only", read the ugliest sign.
It was as if, by some sort of design
The conspiracists were inclined to provoke,
The arrogant mulatto who so often spoke.

Little did they know the shadow empire
In which the Devil befriends the vampire.
The Alderman fired two shots in confidence,
Aimed as it were at a rogue accused of arrogance.

Little did he know it would kill a vampire,
And at that bleak moment, he could not conspire.
Finding a way to remove himself of any doubt,
It was instead a quiet gasp that he let out.

Hung up as a lesson to provide its warning.
The Alderman was found drained that morning.
It seems there were enough lessons to learn,
But the ways of the vampire are plain to discern.

Tossed into circumstance and gone for the throat,
Hand the people a story and see if it will float.
With great aplomb, the vampire's will has been done,
But he can never see the pleasure of the morning sun.

Still, darkness walked has its own sort of measure,
And the secret taste of blood has its own pleasure.
The killing done will be finished in its own season,
As long as the bite taken was taken for his reason.

Seen as it is with blood-strained contemplation, 
The vampire does what he can to find his sweet redemption.
It's clear that all innocence is dead and completely gone,
But perhaps there is a way to walk the road he's on.

Like a child, he has learn to live through sacrifice
Demanding only so much blood as found to barely suffice.
Captive as he is as a desolate child of the darkest night,
A black angel cries tears of mercy as he hopes for the light.

The blood of life once shared gives strength to the weak,
Giving passion unfelt before and confidence to the meek.
The thoughts of vampires made are silent to the creator,
Family secrets linger in the heart as he creates her.

(c) October 27, 2025   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved