Folk Ghost

Folk Ghost 

Folk ghost

Why are you leaving?

I’ve barely settled into the old place

And you’re putting on your wool coat

Can you not stay a while

To welcome me with a few tiny trinkets 

Of wisdom 

I see you striding down my long lane

A somber somnambule 

Now reaching the wooden bridge

Halfway across

You roll to a halt

Swinging your lantern 

Over the side

You let it slip  

It falls violently and smashes in a fiery flash

On the ice-sealed river 

In near-darkness

Your gangly body dances

As it fades away

Unaware that I know the difference 

Between ice chips

And broken glass