Ghosts

Grief

the origin

of every ghost story

perhaps

Grief

the image

in the corner of the eye;

the echo

of a voice

in the ear

just your name

or the memory

of a laugh;

the absolute

conviction

that returning to 

a certain place--

a grave

a hushed church

an expanse of rippling grass

dotted with wildflowers

or the banks

of a spring-swollen river--

will return you

to your lost loved one

or your loved one

will return

to you