Poem by Gloria O’koye
Speaking to the ancestors that no longer
Wander in physical space.
Spirits lurk as moths and ladybugs,
Familiar traits linger amongst the living
Leaving bitter aftertaste.
Asking questions out loud,
Paranormal answers gets confused
As being called crazy.
Only minds of maniacs would know,
Since society norms forget what miracles
And faith requires…
Hence why frustrations could have been
Solved by just being silent.
How can one argue with the ghost of the
Past?
Mimics that taunt out wrongdoings
Even when time served,
But in life,
Punishments shall last.
These entities feed on fear.
So what’s better than having someone
Pull up a blanket to hide their sins.
What’s better to have someone feel
Shamed and want to be undiscovered.
Like dangling bait of feeling unwanted
For the sharks to gather.
Arguing with ghosts,
Is war never meant to be won?
Hope of slapping reflections off the mirror,
These ghosts from the past
Are like chandeliers to shine
If no one pulls off the plug.
Like myths from the Appalachian
Mountains,
Don’t answer when you hear your names
Be called by human voices.
These ghosts from the past are not your
Present.
They have long gone
Buried in dirt and ashes.
Continue to gulp the fountain of life
For you are still living.
