What does 
one call
a life
without strife
bliss blessed
me I
think happiness 
and peace 
and joy 
will do 
for these
and those 
and that
and theirs
I have 

I never knew 
of this emptiness 
having rather gathered 
things to stuff
thinking that plump
better than lean
but now I 
cherish this room
that I am
essentially containing nothing 
nor missing same 

I see a line 
of light upon wall
striped and bright a
space break or missing 
where curtains lack cover 
a hint of day
and whisper of night 
a tease and tickle 
just like finger puppets
and of ghoulish stories

Either or but 
never and such
are the absolutes
this that but
never there so 
goes the games 
when where but 
never why so 
says the heart

Imagine a ghost 
in your life 
and it’s you 
imagine walking through 
around and over 
others always pretending 
just to avoid 
being there maybe 
not maybe so 
not really living 
more like that 
one long last
breath before all
others sadly end 
and then like 
that body quake 
right before sleep 
you wake up 
and suddenly realize
that not a
ghost am I 
but only a 
child who’s frightened 
and on you 
go living again 
in this afterlife