MY GHOST

The very first of the "Fran Series". Before we were even an item, I had perceived within this attractive, gregarious woman a frightened immobilized child, crying in frustration, seeking relief...

MY GHOST

There's a Booger in the woods--
How do I know he's there?
When I walk too close to Him,
His talons snag my hair

He frightens me, he makes me cry
More so than Robbers, or Hoods--
I stay away from Meadows now,
'cause there's a Booger in the woods!

I've a Ghost who shadows me
Down every Path I tread;
I've tried every means I know
To convince Him that He's dead

I plead with him to let me be,
Yet does my Ghost my footsteps fill.
His viscid croaking reminding me
That I alone can His voice still!

Is't not enough just to deplore Him?
Can it be I must ignore Him?
Does my acknowledgement restore Him?
Give Him Power? Make Him Whole?

If true, I must command Him gone!
Starting now! This very Dawn!
Clammy hands no longer on
My Back, my Neck, nor on my Soul!

There WAS a Booger in those Trees,
But Spring is here, and leaves are on!
And dead things cannot my heart freeze,
Nor long live, where's Life, and Sun!

I thought I heard Him yesterday,
But I laughed, and said, "It's but the Breeze!
"It's months now since He's called my name
"For there is NO Booger in those Trees!"



A word of Explanation: "Booger" is a catch-all term used in the South, to
refer to any spooky but insubstantial thing. Earlier forms include "bogey"
and "boggart" As this is a poem about facing and eventually conquering
one's fears, it seemed an apt choice, despite its other more-common meaning.

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Wow .. this is part scary and part funny .. and I hide my eyes from your words, laughing and trembling!

Great write, Mark - so enjoyed it.

It's strange how phantoms and their goings-on leave such an indelible impression on minds. Children seem to laugh at them yet, fear them and enjoy that fearing. Maybe it's because they don't analyse like adults do.

As to the breeze in the trees .. what about that din in the win-dy wind ..

[Keve]

I do know about the "booger man." I loved this entirely. I may read it to my grandaughter next time I visit.

[Muse]

funny and scary you delivered well for the reader. Booger....thanks for the explaination in the end there my friend. This put a smile on my face. Thank you.

[Lena M. P.]

I absolutely loved this. Witty and original. I've known a few boogies in my time and it's nice when one can outgrow them. Great piece. I really enjoyed it.

[Greg Skura]

Great Poem! I enjoyed reading this!

[Brette Medb]

I liked the way you worded everything in this poem. It made it humorous but at the same time enlightening. Often times our fears and problems become worse than they truly are because we give them life by believing in them with all our heart. I really liked the double meaning. Great write!

[SoulofManyFaces]

There is something very whimsical about this piece,, flowing
from one stanza to another. This has a spooky feel, a story
one might hear around a campfire perhaps. I am a Southern
Bell myself, so I know what booger is LOL!

Good work!

[bob, small b. aka invs]

i really liked this. i'm a sucker for stories about things that go bump in the night. you handled the boogie man very well, both in the story and the way you brought the story to us. the rhythm and rhyme read easily and don't interrupt the story's flow. it's just a wonderfully written and thought out piece, as well as being quite entertaining.

[Manyfacets]

I love the rhyming treatment in this piece. You are a master at it. I found it amusing and entertaining. I guess we all have our own little interpretation of a booger. Smiles. B.

[Jamie S.]

I love this poem and your writing style. You definatly have a flare that is attractive to the eyes and mind. I love the term "booger" I call my kids that alot when they are sneaking around the house looking for trouble. There is nothing better to stir the mind than a good ghostly tale!!