From Dracula to Lestat to Mona the Vampire, the thirst for vampire novels is unquenchable. They've been examined from every conceivable angle, done to death as it were, and yet literature about them proliferates at greater speed than vampires themselves could ever hope to. So what is it about books featuring the undead that holds us so much in thrall?

In the new blockbuster I Am Legend, virologist Robert Neville (Will Smith) is the sole survivor of a man-made plague that has wiped out all of humankind -- and turned those who didn't die into creepy, vampire-like mutants.

I have aged as time's worn on
And now my life is nearly gone
A life of war and battles many
Plundered cities and now I'm ready
To battle with my final foe
I will face the Reaper's blow

I have but one wish of my death
It be in battle mong horses breath
Gleaming steel and flowing blood
Dying men and victory's flood

I wish not to die on my throne
Be in the field my final groan
There have been battles I have lost
And my life they've nearly cost

Feeling the pain,
Seeing the blood,
Not knowing how to heal either,
Looking on and hiding the shame,
Wondering when the tears will flood,
Seeking the truth, finding lies and wanting neither.

Life in it's endless progression,
Tearing at your soul,
The fear welling from your memories,
Retreating, hiding, burying yourself in regression,
The heart within beating slowly, dark and cold,
Spending your nights in empty graves, dwelling in cemetaries.

Who are you? What to do?

Life, death, love and hate! The stars alone tell the stone cold truth!

We all live a short time here and before you know it it is to late!

Darkness falls and bugs crawl! Soon to have a feast!

Suns up! Skins burning, cover up cover up or you'll be crisp!

Lovers here lovers now sweet hatred it can be!

Is this a world full of people or is all this a sick spoof?

At night you hear the spirits warn you! You hear the world stop and then there before you is the beast.