Vampires

Creatures who feed off the essence of people.

Not dressed in Gothic black and sipping blood while speaking in a Romanian accent.

But sipping life vicariously through the eyes and actions of others.

Eternal youth in mind and soul -- until death they do depart.

Hungry for diversity, the vivaciousness of youth, the joie de vivre of fresh outlooks, and the wisdom of old romantics.

Disguised as the young at heart, as grandmas and uncles, even sometimes writers and actors and teachers, they walk the world in a cloak of normality.

Taking a bite out of perception -- they leave behind a sense of the mysterious, of possibilities, and the longevity of an open mind.