walking with the ghosts

Walking home with the ghosts,

last ordered from the inns;

pale in the moonglow of street lamps.

Walking home with the ghosts

tensing shadows of alcohol

clawing for attention.  

Walking home with the ghosts

keeping in the spirit

in the keeping of spirits.

Walking home with the ghosts

complicated conversations

ambiguous silhouettes.

Walking home with the ghosts

the mists of breath

in the mystery of space.

Walking home with the ghosts.

And, even in the day,

the ghosts seep through:

shadows fingering the light

with their seeking.

In the sunburst,

black-barked trees

stir the netherland

between mole-skinned earth

and diaphanous sky.

Walking home with the ghosts,

dark dialogues reverberating,

armed, bitter words.

Walking home alone

with ghosts

dragging their shackles.