
A Living Ghost
It was a snowy winter evening when lonesome wakeful I went wandering,
My feet moved of their own accord as I was thoughtless wondering,
I was drawn down the road by some strange unknown attraction,
and I hardly guessed where I had stepped in the midst of my distraction.
It must have been the sudden gust of chilling wind that broke my reverie
But ’twas a different chill pimpled my skin to find I was now in a cemetery.
I felt an eerie presence at my back as if someone were standing just behind me
And I froze in place, too afraid to turn and look, in dread of what I might see.
Finally I found the courage to face my fear–only to find nothing at all was there
Naught but a wispy wraith of steam from off my breath into the cold night air.
I felt the fool–tricked by my own imagining into such a state of disquietude!
And yet–
I almost hoped some shade might appear to chase away the spectre of my solitude.
Is my loneliness so heavy, that I should crave even the company of the deceased?
What a thing to want!
And I wondered to myself in the stillness of that night, if I am not haunted–
Then do I haunt?
Unbidden by the denizens below, have I trespassed into their abode, an uninvited guest?
Who careless in my tripping dares disturb the dreamless sleepers’ rest?
I watched the falling snow fill my footsteps, erasing all trace of where I’d tread.
As if I had appeared there from out of nowhere like a phantom–a living ghost among the dead.

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The art piece is great, most specially the cold breath of air, and the falling snow. Well done! The written piece also compliments the art really well.
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Thank you.
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Ahh, I love it! The art and the poetry slot together perfectly. The use of words and rhyming structure reminds me a little of Poe’s ‘The Raven’. Amazing work, man!
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Wow. Thanks a lot!
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My favorite line “if I am not hauntedβ
Then do I haunt?”
Artwork is awesome…of course!
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That line has been in my head for weeks. Glad to finally get it out. Glad you like it!
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Perfect for Hallowe’en. I’m actually planning a walk in a nearby cemetery as part of my All Hallow’s celebration of ancestors. I have no one buried in this particular cemetery, but it’s a beautiful place to visit — not only with nature but with the spirits I feel there. Even if I’m not related to them, I still want to honor them in some way.
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I love visiting graveyards! Especially the old ones.
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βIs my loneliness so heavy, that I should crave even the company of the deceased?β
*standing ovation* ππππππππππππππππππππππ
AND THAT ARTWORK!!ππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππππ
THIS WHOLE POST!! β€οΈπππππππππππππππππππππππβ€οΈππππβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ
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*bows, exits stage left, tripping over mic line*
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π€£π€£π€£
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Fantastic drawing and writing!
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This is my best day for likes, I’m pretty sure most of them are yours. Glad you’re enjoying the archive. Lol. =)
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“And yetβ
I almost hoped some shade might appear to chase away the spectre of my solitude.” Hard-hitting lines and amazing artwork to go with it. My hat is off to you!
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Thank you! Probably the most work I’ve ever put into a poem, actually.
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