Ghost World Poem by Dónall Dempsey

We argue
over something

we should not

that(possibly)
in time will be forgot...

but then
cut us apart

with the blindness of bitterness.

You stand
as if stranded

(in another dimension)

trapped in the window’s
reflection.

Traffic passes
through you

People walk
in & out of you

you stand
like a ghost

both inside
(& outside)

the room at the same time


the roaring fire
transported to the bus stop

offers no
warmth

coldly
it burns.

It is
as if

I am seeing
you dead

your ghost

come back to haunt
my hurtful words.

I close the curtains
with a theatrical flourish

& the ghost world
is banished.

Vanishes.

I take
the real you

in my arms

kiss you kiss you
(tears in my eyes)

“Oh love...I’m so...sorry! ”