Like a ghost

“Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were.” (Marcel Proust)

(for Laura P)

Too long ago and too far, I still see the corners of her smile curl

like a flowery heart,

--and set a stray red rose over one ear, commemorative & cute

like a ghost of a girl!--

(just as I'd liked her to be). A hero's chance return, tho', to a glad

past sunny June,

and not another day more, not long ago, did feel blessed with dark

hair and eyes, for a time

and not one word more or day. Even at the school gate the best I

could do, a rose-bearer,

--or a dusty hallway where she'd dutifully sung & preened in my light,

like a young teacher--

the best I could do was look & let a girl who always went straight home

settle like a dream,

(2025)