In the heat of the day
When the sun’s at its height
Come and rest where it’s cool,
Near my tree. I won’t bite!
Haven’t got any teeth
And I’m really quite small
So you see there’s no reason
To fear me at all.
I’m the yara-ma-yha-who
So don’t be afraid:
It’s so hot in the sun,
Come and sit in the shade.
Pretty soon you’ll relax
And perhaps fall asleep
And then, down the trunk
Of my tree I will creep
And so gently I’ll place
Both my hands and my feet
On your hot, clammy skin,
And then I’ll start to eat
The blood leaves your body
And flows into mine
You’ll be cool soon enough
As I tenderly dine.
For not every vampire
Is wings in the night
My prey comes to me
When the sun’s at its height.
Tom Juniper Poetry 