Lingering and ever-present is the ghost.
Fear floods my body when I finally feel settled,
For he would never truly let me be.
His fury threatens those ones around me,
So, in isolation I keep them safe.
I can not afford to be bold.
Slowly I shut the blinds and lock the doors.
Alone in the house it is just the ghost and I.
He speaks to me in past memories and shared tragedy,
Refusing to let me forget.
As if forgetting had ever been an option.
Around every corner I hesitate, afraid he will be there waiting.
I jump even when he isn’t there,
Because I know that when he catches me, I will be a ghost too.
~ l m d