Feb 11, 2011

Magpie Tales. First Birthday.

The 52nd picture-prompt from Willow -

















All Houses
keep their dear alloted ghosts. Sometimes
a vagueness caught out of
the corner of your eye. Or,
hearing a stair-tread creak, you
listen for someone who will not be there.

Evenings bring them out. They
ease doors open, slowly.
No. It could not be. Don’t look. Don't dare.

Mornings are safer.  Morning ghosts
are bats or birds shut in. These are real,
rattling through hallways bare of all but fear,
You’re safe from daylight ghosts, yet . . .
wings brush your arm the way she – till through
eaves or open window they get free.

Sometimes, glancing up, you’re sure
to turn some play of light through trees into -
white dress striped green and golden – throw
open, throw wide the door. It must be, now must be -
Only the expected garden, silent,
desolate, a ghost your company.

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21 comments:

  1. jabblogFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    'All houses keep their dear allotted ghosts' - what a fabulous beginning and how true. The things we don't quite see or hear are all around and easily explained away - usually.

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  2. Everyday GoddessFebruary 11, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    and to be so in love with someone, to see so much of them everywhere, that is true love.

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  3. MaggieFebruary 11, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Ooooh, shivers. I'm one of those believers that one's energy sticks around. Not rattling chains, but still a presence some can feel, if they listen.

    Oops, I'm rambling.

    Nice magpie, btw. : )

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  4. LynFebruary 11, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    So much going on with these busy ghosts..surely old friends amongst them..very good poem!!

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  5. HelenFebruary 11, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    Your ghosts seem friendly! Loved this.

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  6. lissaFebruary 11, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    very nice, a ghost story of sort

    thanks for your visit to my magpie tale

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  7. The BugFebruary 11, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    I
    wonder how I would react if I thought that Dr. M's ghost lingered in our home? I love the man, but... You have a writing style that always captures my imagination.

    P.S. I'm driving the bus this week, if you're interested.

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  8. Pat - ArkansasFebruary 11, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Thank you for your visit to my first Magpie Tales post and your most kind comment.

    I like the idea of 'dear allotted ghosts,' and very much enjoyed your poem.

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  9. Kristen HaskellFebruary 11, 2011 at 10:40 PM

    I read this twice it is very moving!

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  10. Everyday GoddessFebruary 12, 2011 at 3:28 AM

    gave you one of my weekly awards which you can collect anytime you like!
    Happy blogging!

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  11. Strummed WordsFebruary 12, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    A haunted house! What fun!

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  12. relFebruary 12, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Though never there, how to explain the words uttered and the wispy touches in the darkness?
    Well done to my tastes.
    rel

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  13. SuzFebruary 12, 2011 at 3:16 PM

    oh this was nice, Goddesss was so right to give you her sun
    But I must tell you I think their energy does stay around...maybe a spirit or two..I struggle with this thought all the time..could there really be ghosts
    Very nice writing

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  14. CheeseboyFebruary 13, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    Oh wow. This gave me chills. Goddess was correct on this wise choice for post of the week.

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  15. DeboraFebruary 13, 2011 at 7:18 AM

    Yes.

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  16. LydiaFebruary 13, 2011 at 12:02 PM

    Marvelous, ever so. Thoughtful, and not scary to me. We felt we had company when we first bought our old house (built in 1910) 12 years ago. I felt a loving pressure on my shoulder while standing alone at the sink in the bathroom. My husband "saw" but didn't "see" a native American male by the large trees out back. Nothing for a long time. We guess we passed inspection. :)

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  17. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallFebruary 13, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    so creative words.
    lovely magpie.

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  18. SiennaFebruary 13, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    I felt all kinds of emotions from happy and carefree to spooky and scared. Quite an accomplishment in one poem. Thanks for the kind words.

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  19. Tess KincaidFebruary 14, 2011 at 7:46 PM

    Yes, mornings are safer. Love this.

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  20. ~T~February 16, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    A fascinating company of ghosts.

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  21. JinksyFebruary 18, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    And no one knows it's perfect prose
    that they had spread under their nose,
    but called it 'poem' all the while,
    which gave me not a little smile...

    ReplyDelete

WV's turned off. Glad to see this is catching on. I don't want my readers to work for nothing for folk whose OCR software doesn't work properly.

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