Negative Space

Bedtime Story

There are two characters in this poem

One is Ghost, the other is Home

Both set the scene for suspense

Sitting in shy regard of each other,

on either side of a peeling picket fence

Home starts anxiously

Ghost looks up curiously

A distant number is dialed

answered by the faint cry of a child

Ghost stands in surprise

Home cowers, shutters and shields its eyes

Ghost waits in fear and wonder

An ancient window creaks

They both shiver

There are three characters in this poem

One is Ghost, another is Home

And the other is bad luck

Home opens its door and Ghost drifts in,

stirring the dust gathered on the floor

A phone lies on its side

Home shudders, motions Ghost to run, hide

A sickly wail sounds from a secret attic

Ghost, fascinated, ascends

Home prepares for the storm

Ghost hovers above a cradled form

Watching, waiting

There are two characters in this poem

One is Ghost and maybe, the other is Home

Ghost ponders its existence

Home sits there in silence

A lonely clock chimes, and Time, rolling over, groans

and goes back to sleep