Contract Killing

Democracy
gnawed on by vampires
anemic
and wandering
in forgotten dreams
of ancient ancestors,
stirs a bit
some signs of life.

The vampires gnaw back
contract killings in Iraq.
Everything is back on bloody track

but the morning news
brings word
three more
of our youngsters have died
not the sons
of a dictator
ordinary kids
blasted to death
on a dangerous road
obeying Transylvanian orders.

Democracy
still stirring a bit
at the sound of gun fire
and
the vampires keep
eating our dream.

STEW ALBERT manages the Yippie Reading Room. He can be reached at: stewa@aol.com