Ghost

A Poem

Photo by Houcine Ncib on Unsplash

i walk these hallways at night
and wonder just where and when
i lost you in the dark

i wander every vacant room
and wish for some kind of absolution
to make the mirrors reflect back kindness

i wait for some lukewarm sign
that i’m taking the high road
away from the dregs of another day

i wilt under scrutiny, just like you did,
and cast myself against the coals
as if the burn will save my soul

i waste away in counting seconds
leading up to my wayward doom
while hoping against hope i’ll survive

i waltz through the motions
of a full life well-lived and free
even as i set fire to every single page

i wake up with the taste
of your name on my tongue
and know what it’s like to be haunted

i wash my hands in cold water
and remember days long ago
when you suffered and so did I