I am torn

exquisite as the wings of a butterfly and more

eloquent and poignant then the activists blood, poured out on the streets of his cause

with frightening clarity I see to the core

stop the ride, silence the cries, give me pause

pandemonium has spawned

there is no more nor no less than what we can hold

trapped by our imagination, sold

by our soul to this higher power

the devil is lying in wait

behind the gate

there is no final hour

"Budapest seems a wonderful place... The impression I had was that we were leaving the West and entering the East." So begins Bram Stoker's Dracula, written in a time when the city was seen as Europe's final frontier. Today, Budapest is rather more familiar (it joined the EU in 2004) - although it has lost none of its original appeal.

I sit here
naked
and welcome you to me
never before have I opened up
like I do to you
I feel your strength
flowing through my veins
my body trembles
relief rushes over me
crashing down on me
like a wave
yet
I want more
I can't get enough of you
I hunger
I thirst
for your sweet taste
your soft scent
you
your eyes
burn me
scorch me
pain
you promised
yet
I can't get enough of you
I never will
for the eternity
we are together
one

April 15, 2007 (The Independent / Ruth Elkins) -- A Malaysian state has closed down an exhibition on ghosts, ghouls and supernatural beings after Islamic clerics declared it detrimental to Muslims' faith.

for centuries I've searched
wandered the beaten path
been led astray..and for what?
Who would dare deny the vampire's immortal kiss?
a sacred embrace
I will hold the colour of your eyes when no other remembers your name
your legacy written in my heart

Scarlette Death
January 2, 2002