The Guests

Dedicated to my guests.

Some guests come without a warning or heed. They come whenever they wish, not whenever you need. They follow you around at work, haunt you when you sleep. Their 

gazes target you keenly, it penetrates you deep.

They don't care for timing, they don't care for the moment. 

They come when they please, they come just to torment

They might come when you rest, eyes weary, your resolve they will test

The can come uninvited, at the worst of events, they will make you break down, speed up your descent. And no one will understand why it is that you cry. It has been months, even years, since you've said goodbye.

They'll come at happy moments, a wedding perhaps. They just love it when you are surprised and cause mishaps. When you look at your children, you'll see them too. Staring at them and staring at you. Your throat will constrict, it might even hurt. But don't you fret, just don't.

Shadows that haunt you, whenever you go, they just hate it when you try to let your life flow. Their memories are etched into the paper of your heart. Time heals everything they say, but where do I start..?  

When you see a person gaze aimlessly and shake, don't be discouraged, their hand you should take. Don't try to comfort them, don't try to mend. Don't even try to offer a helping 

hand.

Just stand with them, and in silence atone.

Just stand with them, so they don't stand there alone.

Author's Note

In memory of people who were very dear to me, and to the people around me.
May their souls forever be interwined in the chain of life.

Reviews

[Marianne Rose]

I can relate to this poem so much, particularly in my young life when there was too much death for me to be able to integrate the ghosts that haunted me at strange times. This certainly describes what I have experienced- not only by the ghosts of those who passed over, but also by the memories of other losses- of friendships, lovers, even cherished jobs. You did a great job describing the hauntings. But I agree with the last review- the most touching and deeply felt truth comes through in the last lines. There is sacredness in that silence that cannot be matched with any measure of words or actions, except standing with someone. Thank you for this beautiful poem.

[LastMonth]

This one is very close to my heart.
Thank you for reading it.

[Matching Socks]

This was so very touching. I don't know why they say time heals. Time doesn't heal, not at all. But it does allow us manage our hurt and begin to move on. We will always have days when we remember, and those days will always hurt. Beautiful poem. You called it a story but I recommend you relabel it as a poem. You maybe get more reads. This is very honest and emotional and deserves more comments. Well written.

[LastMonth]

I'd say time blunts. If not heal at least.
Thank you for your review!

[Hyacinth]

First of all, may I start by saying the last two sentences caused goosebumps on my arm. This is very well written, and I love how it's like your talking to the reader. Again, marvelous. Being only twelve years old, some may think that I won't understand this, but I do...except of course, the
'When you look at your children' part. ;)

[LastMonth]

Hahaha-- It's quite fine.
I don't have children yet either. I'm twenty one though. Probably going to have some sooner then you do! I hope. For both our sakes.

Thank you kindly for the review, I am happy you liked it and it touched you.

[Hyacinth]

It's fine. I like telling someone when I like something they write, 'cause I know I'd like the same for me. And about the children- yaeh, I love younger kids, but I'm perfectly fine staying a 'preteen soon to be teen' for...forever! So I agree!

[Tristesse]

Good evening,

I think you are a very talented writer. I feel like most of the stories I have read from you hold an underlining meaning in all of them. Written from either past experiences or a heart felt tale. I enjoy, no, adore the drive where you gain your inspiration. Then again, I'm shooting in the dark, I could be out in the left field.

Regardless, you are brilliant and talented. I enjoy your work and look forward to reading more.

Keep up the good work,
Tristesse

[LastMonth]

Good morning!

First and foremost, I appreciate the review. It is very kind of you to take the time and offer such praise. I love writing stories, some classify them as 'Children's' mostly due to the nature of my heroes. Often they are Bees, Squirrels, Mice and Pencils. But I find it more elusive and rewarding to try and get my messege through subtle means rather then just slapping my reader in the face with it.

I really appreciate the review, again.
And I'll drop by to read your work when I'm back from jogging in about two-three hours.

[Lyn Anderson]

This is really well done. I would suggest taking out the periods at the beginnings of stanza/paragraph 2, and to possibly put "in silence, atone", in place of "in silent atone".

[LastMonth]

Glad you liked it!
The periods at the start are the result of this site's whacky treatment of things I copy paste from my word documents-- I'll take care of it.

[Lyn Anderson]

yeah, I know, it also does that weird thing where it converts hyphens into quotes -- watch for that.:)

[V]

This story reads more like a long and detailed piece of poetry because of its rhyming lines. Reads different from what I usually come across here. And you say you have a poor understanding of poetry? Nonetheless, nice topic.
You said, you like to read out pieces aloud? Maybe this would work well as a script for a spoken word performance.

[LastMonth]

Thank you kindly for the review.
I have this weird little habit of Speak-Writing everything.
If it doesn't sound right being spoken, I don't write it.

To me I write stories (With rhymes, yes!) as if they were meant to be read to someone else, rather then read yourself.

Thanks once more!

[V]

Ok, thanks for the explanation. Cool way of creating writings, very different from how I do it but I appreciate to get to know new ways of understanding and putting things.

[Hannah Grace]

I love this! thank you for sharing such a great piece of writing.

[LastMonth]

Thanks Hannah!

[barleygirl]

This is a very interesting & original message. I've never read anything like it (a good thing). The way it's written, it could be referring to a wide variety of different things for different people. The most obvious, it seems, would be the ghosts of people we've lost thru death. But it can also be possibly still-living people who did something so memorable (good or bad) that we're reminded for the rest of our lives. Whatever the interpretation, it's very thought-provoking and compassionate.

[LastMonth]

Thank you very much for the review, I appreciate it.
I'm glad you liked it, and yes, I suppose it could mean varying things for different people.
I suppose that for me it's the first and most obvious one. Once more, I really appreciate that you took the time to review this.

[Rhia Barton]

Awesome piece! English may not be your native tongue but you're very talented anyhow! You make me green with envy, haha! The story is very rhythmic, so I agree with Andronicus that with a bit of tweaking, this could be a poem as well. I see it as an incredible skill to be able to write like that! Keep writing :)

[LastMonth]

Thank you very much for the review!
Yeah, I tend to post things the moment I write them without too much ironing.
I need to work on that, but I'm glad that you liked this Poem/Story.
It actually means alot to me (This subject) and I'm glad I managed to get it out properly.

[Rhia Barton]

Nothing wrong with no editing! I rarely do that. The only time I'd revise would be to look for spelling errors or something so I can definitely side with you on that, haha :)

[Stan Lee]

LastMonth, I am intrigued by your stories which seem to rhyme. :) If you formatted this differently it may classify more as poetry? Maybe?
I gather from your write that, like me, you don't care much for uninvited guests. Weirdly enough though, some people do. Might be part of the introvert vs extrovert thing, and that thought crossed my mind again when I read of loss and pain in the last three paragraphs.
"Time heals everything they say, but where do I start..? " was my favorite line.
:) stay inspired!

[LastMonth]

Thanks for the review friend. I appreciate it. It's hard for me to understand what Poetry means in the English Mainstream. I've seen plenty of poetry here without a single ryhme, and it kinda threw me off.

I consider my writings as stories, mostly because of their content and less due to their format.
I'm glad that you liked this, though I must say I'm not quite sure what Introvert and Extrovert means..?

[Stan Lee]

Generally if it rhymes it is classified as poetry but by all means, you may call this a story. In writing (like art) there are no rules that cant be broken. ;)
Prose poetry (poems without rhymes) is classified as poetry by the use of imagery, metaphors, rhythmic structure etc.

I found this definition for you on google:
Introvert. Opposite of extrovert. An introvert is a person who is energized by spending time alone. Often found in their homes, libraries and quiet parks.

Hope this helps :)

[Woody]

it is not easy, nor do we want, to forget the people who have left an imprint on our lives and departed, often too soon.
a nice way to express the idea LM. indeed they are often uninvited guests.

[LastMonth]

Thanks for the review woods.
Today's the National Memorial day in my country; I needed to get this out. And Writers Cafe seemed as good a venue as any.

[Woody]

it's always good to get something like this out of your system and share it with like-minded people.