" Walking Over Ghosts "                                        by Ja

It's hard to leave the past behind

To separate yourself  from its grip

Maybe it's true that time heals all wounds

But for now, I continue to walk over ghosts.

I see the kitchen where I lost all hope

The naked light bulb hanging over the table

The living room wall that had a hole in it

Couldn't someone have patched that damn hole?

That small one room upstairs where my "Clean Spot" was stolen

Where I left all my hopes and dreams behind

The brand new, shiny, silver flute I would never play again

My favorite blue robe that was soiled

A peculiar kind of misery came and stayed for 35 years

The ones who took my life are dead now

Their stench still remains

And maybe it's true that time heals all wounds

But for now, I continue to walk over ghosts.        

(Update: I no longer walk over ghosts. I finally left the past behind!)