Letter to a Ghost

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Letter to a Ghost

Had I not dreamed your death, I would have praised this day.
Your name rests in a wooden box on a desk

in a room far away and twice as old as we were then.
My penance in this phase: to continue.

I gather words close and refrain from admissions.
The clock on the wall seldom chimes,

like one whose vows circumvent convenience, or
a shade allowing the barest sliver of light

through the window. That tock preceding
a long silence. Snow blanketing the mounded earth.

Your scent never lingers past sleep, where you remain.
At last I no longer covet those sheets you’ve shared.

Your name rests in a box. I gather words and refrain.

ghost

217 thoughts on “Letter to a Ghost”

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  32. I feel like I may have gotten something totally different from this poem. It seems like a goodbye letter, a piece to allow your soul to rest. But at the same time it seems like a loss, one that was grave and deep but you are moving past. It is a beautifully written poem. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing. Also, thanks for allowing me to say my interpretation of it.^_^

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  37. Hey Robert,
    A seriously hauntingly beautiful poem. I think it’s the first line
    “Had I not dreamed your death, I would have praised this day.”
    That really hits you with full impact while drawing you in wanting for more. Definitely going to look in to more of your work.
    A thought from,
    Those Pointless Thoughts

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  48. P.S: Thanks very much for liking my post: “Walking on a Tightrope”, I really appreciate it! 🙂 If you like anymore of my poems, please don’t hesitate to give them a like too

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  49. I do like how you use enjambment in this poem, Robert. An intriguing poem with some real dreaming room for the reader. Nice. The last line “Your name rests in a box. I gather words and refrain” is a good restatement of the first part (and so enigmatic!) and the word play on “refrain” is a great way to end. Nice one.

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