Waiting at the Blood Lab, Watching Those in Line

Author: Joan Leotta

Lined up for vampire service.

That’s how I think of it.

Today I’m not the one, but

my husband is in line to feel

the sting of the vampire’s teeth

in the form of a steel needle.

He is not nervous.

Others in line shuffle,

wring hands,

pretend to read books

but never look at the page.

They are new to this, I think,

or perhaps, Like me, they feel

the samples taken are for

a local vampire feast, that

today’s little vials will be

lined up like so many

flavors of cake at a wedding

planner’s sample table.

My husband’s name is called.

He leaves, then reappears.

“Let’s go.” He is not worried.

I smile, hoping today he

is not the chosen flavor, and that

this test will not cause him

to be called in for others.

Joan Leotta plays with words on page and stage. Internationally published as essayist, poet, short story writer, novelist, she’s a multiple nominee for Pushcart and Best of Net. Her publications include One Art, Poetry Superhighway, Lothlorien, The Ekphrastic Review, and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

Her folk and personal story programs highlight food, family, and strong women. Her Louisa May Alcott” presentation highlights the author’s development as a writer and time as Civil War Nurse. Joan’s a Regional Rep for the North Carolina Writers Network. She’s taught storytelling and writing, for the North Carolina Poetry Society, NC Writers Network, and others.