Walking With Ghosts

Walking With Ghosts

In a fraudulence of calm routine
I rise early & let the wind lead me
down a quiet street.
Beside one house is a benign grove
of ghostly birch & white lilies.
They cram between the trees & nod
in monk heads of truth.
An encompassing tribe of stars
still linger in vague outline.
If I walk quietly enough,
I may arrive upon myself, returning,
from some distant corner
I may reach an understanding
of where I have been
which will enable me to continue
to where I am going.

Reviews

[W.k.kortas]

Interesting little piece (chock-full of the usual Venablese and wonderfully turned phrases) looking at how our ghosts can allow us to relinquish a measure of control-- our narrator is led by the wind and enabled to carry on by understanding--or perhaps reaching an accomodation with--those ghosts. Short but fully-packed; there are no words or phrases taking up unnecessary space here. Visual and beautifully crafted.

[Emily B]

I knew this would be a favorite as soon as I read the title. Just the sort of work that makes me wonder how I could lay my words beside yours and hope they will stand straight and not fidget. This is tall. And full of quiet knowing. Just stunningly beautiful.

[Greg the Bard]

Phil I hope this view does not upset your ardent admirer W.k.Kortas. You and I have known each for a long time and I carry no ill will toward your work. That being said, W.k. has hit the nail on the head with his review. I could not have said it better if I'd been standing over his shoulder reading his review while he was writting it. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle worte a wonderful story called "The Red Beeches" where Sherlock Holems stated, "Plombs of morning mist rises from the spires of the elongated trunks giveing cause to catch ones breath, as the soul of man covers its face for protection against the ghost of time." I feel your verse here rivials this wonder work. Well done.

[Brown Bull]

Ah, you deserve 100+ just for the "Tribe of Stars" line.
Just as I feel the warm sun on my back all day long in my meadow, I can feel the ghostly coolness of this lovely poem through your excellent choice of words. I am sure that I will rember it the next time I walk back to my stable after dark.

Beautifully done my friend.
BB