my mother's ghost

my mother’s ghost

my mother’s ghost sleeps the long night away
too silent except for occasional gentle stirrings
she opens her green eyes and stares into mine
reminding me of what is was and will never be
my mother’s ghost effaces herself into the gray
creeping upon soft feet into this evening room
a whisk of a sound as i turn and she disappears
vocalizes no moans or groans only quiet hymns
my mother’s ghost stands behind me in mirrors
seeing and gesturing meaning in the soft silence
neither approving nor reproving only watching
as i stand on the edge of life leaning toward sin
my mother’s ghost then returns to her dark grave
and i wish for her touch her voice and a last kiss