Your voice still stains the air like smoke,

curling in places I can’t choke.

I keep the windows shut too tight,

so you can haunt me every night.

I set the table for one and a prayer,

pretend you’re just late getting here.

The floor creaks soft beneath my feet,

like it remembers where you’d meet me.

You’re not in the mirror,

but you’re in the glass.

You’re the shadow that moves

when I walk past.

There’s nothing so lovely,

so poisonous, so near

as the ghost that remains

when you disappear.

I can’t let go,

and I can’t draw near,

to the ghost that remains,

and the ghost is you, my dear.

You taught me hunger, you made me thirst,

gave me the blessing and then the curse.

I drink from a cup you left behind,

it tastes like venom and holy wine.

I’d burn the house just to break the spell,

but I think I’d miss this little hell.

I’m caught in the ash of what we made,

our love still blooms in the bed we laid.

You’re the ghost in my lungs,

the frost on my tongue.

The knife in my sleeve,

the hymn behind my teeth

There’s nothing so lovely,

so poisonous, so near

as the ghost that remains

when you disappear.

I can’t let go,

and I can’t draw near,

to the ghost that remains,

and the ghost is you, my dear.

You’re lovely,

you’re poison,

you’re needed,

you’re feared…

You’re the ghost that remains

and I'll do what it takes

to keep you here.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

© 2025 The Badfatler

All rights reserved.