Ghost Story

A poem about a haunting, plus a milestone to celebrate

This week feels like a big accomplishment to me. As of today, I’ve been publishing a poem a week on Substack for a year. I’ve missed a few Fridays here and there, most notably in the weeks following my mother's death. But I just checked and, with a few extra posts here and there, I’ve stayed on schedule, even a little ahead of schedule. Today’s post is number 54!

Thanks so much to all of you who have been so supportive, from the early days (I’m looking at you,

Mary Roblyn

and

Margaret Ann Silver

) to the daily inspiration and surprises of The February Poetry Adventure, (with

Petra Hernandez

,

Adam Lombard

,

Lisa Andradez

,

26thAvenuePoet (Elizabeth)

…so many more…) to hosting NaPoWriMo in April, and the recent flurry of new subscribers (Welcome!) that has buoyed me through a bit of a fallow period. I’m so grateful for all of you, and so happy you’re here.

Today’s poem is actually one from the February Poetry Adventure. The prompt was “Ghost Story” which I stuck with as the title of the piece. It’s not really a spooky Halloween poem. It’s not about a real ghost. But it’s about the things we hang onto, or that hang onto us, despite it being well past time to move on. It’s about wanting to let go of what doesn’t serve us, but knowing that’s often easier said than done.

Along those lines, I’m planning a sort of media fast starting today and taking me through the U.S. elections. I won’t be here very much and may take a couple of weeks off from posting - in part to insulate myself from what I am worried will be a very fraught and uncivil time on all social media, but also to focus on finishing a few poems I’ve been tinkering with, and finalize submissions for a couple of chapbook contests. But I’ll be back soon. I’ve got an idea to share with you about a prompt project I’d like to try out in this space.

Wishing you all the best in a challenging time. I love this little community of poets we’ve built here. It is such a source of connection and inspiration. Thank you all for a great year of poetry.

---

Ghost Story

You are still here
I’m not sure why
I really think we’re done,
don’t you?

I mean, there will 
be a sort of reckoning 
eventually,
a tallying up, a dividing

Beyond that 
there’s not much
more to say,
is there?

Still, I see you
in photos and
I’ve got a box of 
stuff I saved for you

Nothing you’d miss,
nothing you’d go out
of your way for, kind
of like me, right?

I used to be really
angry at you, the kind
of angry that leaves
a shadow behind,

a mark or indentation,
like the ghost of 
my fury, but shaped
like you, you know?

the rest washed
away, for the most part,
the hurt, the grief,
the shock at your absence

I was left with anger
which is not a lot of use
so I think I’ll leave it on the porch
with your box of stuff, okay?

Thanks for reading, everyone. Take good care in the next days and weeks. Be strong, stand against hate, but protect your peace. 💕