empty eyed

they can creep through the screens
gingerly step on poised toes
slip the covers askance
sidle next to me in bed

their empty eyes curl for but a moment
tears drooling...

and then they feed with abandon

needle teeth puncturing
all esteem and sense of
solidity
leave hollow places in dreams
that once had meaning

they drink my soul delightfully
through proboscis straws
until the sweet taste
coats their black fish tongues
and they smack their lips for something new

their fingertips like delivery forceps
pluck the living sight out of me
hold my still connected eyes
dangling out of sockets

i can see them in
wavering stereo scope
eyeing my two
last morsels hungrily

and in short shrift
they attack

hard to imagine how
so little could be spread so thin

but miracle!
i am the loaf and the fish
that jesus fed masses with
i am chinese take out
for the demons

and i know.

just when i can stir
and pull my guts in and
begin to creep away

they'll be hungry
again.

for more.