Ghost Story
by Michael Doyle

Remember
       Remember me
My death
       Was cold misery

There is no record
        At least officially
But my lynching
        Is part of history

I'm cold and alone
        Without a name on the stone
Please talk to me
        I need a sort of legacy

I do not come to scare
        I only need you to care
Don't talk to me of spirituality
         Or of my spectrality 

Reach out
        And touch my fate
I promise to be gentle
        I'll try to be sedate

Can you feel my pain?
        I assure you that you're sane
You've built your life on top of me
        Can you feel my misery?

You have the right 
        To be in my space
Though it is
        My sacred hiding place

You can laughingly 
        Refer to your imaginary friend
But until I find my peace
         Please don't let it end

This is my ghost story
         It's what's left of my glory
Reaching out to make connection
         I do this in my desperation

It's the longing to not be forgotten
         And in my longing not to forget
Beyond the division and survival
         Is the need to heal all regret

(c) January 5, 2024   Michael Doyle
All Rights Reserved