IF I WERE A GHOST…
Could I still be haunted?
Could I still be daunted?
And I would still get all jealous and sour when people flaunted
their shiny objects and expensive trinkets?
It’s hard to imagine, but I tend to think it’s
quite possible that a ghostly existence comes with similar pitfalls
and challenges and mental tournaments;
because despite halloween with all it’s ornaments
a ghost was once a person, in theory anyway.
And the best part of being human
is learning
and yearning
and feeling that ego death churning.
We sometimes like to hide under sheets
so we already have that in common with ghosts.
Or get three sheets to the wind when things get too scary
so we also have things in common with a whole family of ghosts.
If the best part of being human is the depth of experience and the range of emotion
then the best part of being ghostly might be a similar thing
or quite another notion
or even more depth and range, vaster than the ocean.
If I were a ghost I’d glide through walls that as a human I seem to have to keep breaking down or pushing over.
If I were a ghost I’d see right through to the heart of the matter
and sometimes for fun make my humans jump with an unexpected clatter.
I wonder if I’d be more all knowing, or more in the dark?
I hope it’s the former and not the latter
I’d like to think if I were a ghost I’d be a consummate host
not so much haunting the joint as protecting it, guarding it, making it safe for those who live on after.
I’d cozy up and watch from the highest rafter.
If I were a ghost I’d never ghost you
I’d be right by your side
maybe causing shiver or chills or unexpected thrills
but I’d always toast you.
When the goblins or gouls came a knockin’
I’d tell ‘em this is my haunted house
So keep on moving, keep on walkin’
there’s no room for any more stalkin’.
So I’d be this invisible force slaying your demons and dragons,
like a friendly Casper-y, hobbit-y Bilbo Baggins.
Just dutifully following my new and glorious quest
To look after my descendants
So they can maybe taste transcendence
And realize they have already passed the test
And can finally and fully, in peace, rest.
And I’d realize I’m not alone up here
but supported by all my dead ancestors
And we are all looking down, watching our cycle breakers
Shake their money makers
And shatter old mistakers
Because though I’m a ghost I am with you
and so are all the other ghosts that died long ago
We are your sacred lineage
And we watch you, support you, cheer for you
Because we’ve been misunderstood, as you have.
And we love Halloween because this thinning veil means we maybe, might just get to say hello again, and good bye, and in that haunting exchange realize that ‘hello’ and ‘good bye’ aren’t relevant anymore, because we are with each other always.
Happy Halloween
I love and trust you humanity.
-Brian
