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A Ghost In My Time
I rose up to shoot a ghost
the bullet of my frustration passed through …
in the distance a flower opened
gifted in full view
the ghost, untroubled, turned to look at me
a cusping link of solidarity
while the distant flower snapped its own stem
and floated into the ghost’s open hand
he hovered silently towards my time
offering reconciliation -
I acknowledged the gift with a slow bow
“Namaste, Ghosty” I responded, shuffling uneasily
and putting the flower in a vase of hope
I released the catch of the trap, walked free …
then stumbling on the next slippery slope
I looked at the ghost … and he smiled at me.
the bullet of my frustration passed through …
in the distance a flower opened
gifted in full view
the ghost, untroubled, turned to look at me
a cusping link of solidarity
while the distant flower snapped its own stem
and floated into the ghost’s open hand
he hovered silently towards my time
offering reconciliation -
I acknowledged the gift with a slow bow
“Namaste, Ghosty” I responded, shuffling uneasily
and putting the flower in a vase of hope
I released the catch of the trap, walked free …
then stumbling on the next slippery slope
I looked at the ghost … and he smiled at me.
Published 4th Oct 2018
| Edited 8th Mar 2024
Author's Note
Comp entry for "Polishing Our Mirror", hosted by Ahavati.
#Rumi
(photo credit: toa-heftiba-ZWKNDOjwito-unsplash)
#Rumi
(photo credit: toa-heftiba-ZWKNDOjwito-unsplash)
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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The author encourages honest critique.
4th Oct 2018 4:01pm
Great entry, Josh. I enjoyed the offering from the ghost especially. It's as though it was demobstrating that everything that manifests now must come through and make peace with the past.
That's true, if you think about it. This moment has been gifted by both past and present.
Best of luck in the comp.
That's true, if you think about it. This moment has been gifted by both past and present.
Best of luck in the comp.
4th Oct 2018 4:37pm
Thank you Ahavati. I think that's how I see it. As we unravel the past and understand it, (and maybe its effects on our lives in the present - though linking 'cause-&-effect' is a dubious process) - so at the same time somehow the past 'rolls up' behind us and becomes shorter and shorter enabling us to live more and more in the present.
4th Oct 2018 4:49pm
It would be nice if everyone could just let the past go and live in the moment so enlightened, Josh.
4th Oct 2018 4:53pm
Yes, I've never found "letting go" easy; I don't think it can be done 'in an instant' - though it's a decision and it might take a long time to 'get it'. But the more I've understood it (past/pattern) the easier 'letting go' seems to get.
4th Oct 2018 4:59pm
4th Oct 2018 7:21pm
It has an angry start, but never fear. This is inspirational and touching work. If a ghost smiles, there's always hope. I look forward to the afterlife...
4th Oct 2018 8:52pm
Thank you Crowfly. Sometimes I go into kill-kill-kill mode when it comes to dealing with annoying/tedious circumstances - and then I realise I'm dealing with overwhelmingly powerful forces of the universe and it's better to at least attempt to 'make my peace' with whatever's bugging me.
"If a ghost smiles, there's always hope." - I find that an extremely helpful comment; thank you.
"If a ghost smiles, there's always hope." - I find that an extremely helpful comment; thank you.
how does one reconcile oneself to the past
when the ghost might well be the ghost
of someone one has hurt in the past
and when the ghost doesn't smile ?
I dunno, I really like the poem,
I just think that people are sometimes too quick
to absolve themselves
in their rush towards the here and now ..
when the ghost might well be the ghost
of someone one has hurt in the past
and when the ghost doesn't smile ?
I dunno, I really like the poem,
I just think that people are sometimes too quick
to absolve themselves
in their rush towards the here and now ..
5th Oct 2018 9:56pm
Interesting comment - I hadn't seen it that way as the ghost representing someone I hurt from the past. I wrote it more from the perspective "trouble happens" in life, maybe karma, poor choices are made and their consequences have to be dealt with, etc (hence the slippery slope at the end) - being angry at life itself, or rather angry with ourselves that we didn't handle things better - but wanting to find peace with whatever that past was for us.
Glad you like it - it's fascinating to me how we read things through our own filters of experience.
Glad you like it - it's fascinating to me how we read things through our own filters of experience.
Anonymous
- Edited 25th Oct 2018 7:45pm
14th Oct 2018 6:50pm
<< post removed >>
14th Oct 2018 9:35pm
Thank you 'Wisdomisme', glad you enjoyed the read. My poetry is mainly about the inner journey but I have a strong side-line of poetic commentary on politics & culture; and especially against the war industry (due to personal experiences).
Look forward to more of your writing too.
All the best.
Look forward to more of your writing too.
All the best.
