The Unreachable Was Mine

A Poem About Ghosts

Sharp and disaffected–

unexplained, because who could ever explain It. 

These are the words that describe

that which never had the right

to penetrate my beating heart.

Jagged edges carved the cavity I’d carry forever and more.

“This is the moment,”

I say in a soundless voice, 

“That took away freedom and choice.”

The night was silent even as blood smeared the walls. 

Even as I was left with less than nothing of all I held before.

The moon and stars filled my view.

I threw my arms out to trap them as I flew

under the impression that I was born anew.

But the glimmering lights and heavenly sights faded

and I was left behind in the same hellish place.   

Coldness gripped me around the ribs.

It is still holding on through phantom chains.

Both encompassing and faint in the same breath

except that I don’t breathe 

don’t feel warmth

but I know that I do feel—

pain lingers in the place where an arm is distended through me. 

On the other side, I see pale fingers grasping at a red wine of victory.

I don’t need to follow back where it leads 

to know whose arm still pierces through me.