Book of Poems

Ghosts

Empty Halls, metal doors, windows covered up.

The hallway is cold in my dreams, then again, it was in life.

Voices echo around me, ghosts of girls I once knew.

The unit is empty now, it's always empty in my dreams.

Phantoms flitting around in my mind,

Hatred and fear fueling them.

One specter stands out against them all,

A girl with long, dark hair and cold black eyes.

Her smile is sickeningly sweet,

Her arm reaching out to gently stroke my face.

I shiver at her touch, wanting to run, but I don't.

She opens her mouth, speaking the words I so dearly want to hear.

"I'm here, Ella. I won't leave."

It's a lie. I know it is.

But I can't be reasoned with, I lean into her touch.

I want to cry. But I won't, I can't cry.

The light purple halls of the hospital tower around us,

Caving in around us, devouring the world.

Another phantom comes up, my sister this time.

Her face still bright and happy.

No sign of the dim resignation she now has.

The fear of me is gone.

I can't help myself now, I cry.

I miss the way she was, the way she laughed, her smile.

Her happy-go-lucky attitude against this cruel world.

"It's okay, Ella. you don't have to cry. I love you."

The tears are falling freely now, I can't stop them.

Then they change, the smiles on their faces become twisted.

The close in around me.

"You awful, worthless girl. How could you ever think we love you?"

They close in, showing sharp teeth.

I scream, turning around to run.

I trip over my feet, rushing through other phantoms.

Nowhere to go, no no no no no.

No running from my ghosts, no running from the things I've done.

I spin around, accepting the fate I've carved for myself.

Gasping, I jolt awake.

It was only a nightmare,

But I can't forget it. They will always haunt me.