At Poets United, the Thursday Think Tank prompt was Ghosts. Everyone should have a favorite one, right? Amy
So Near
The spider web draws past my cheek
I know she’s near
A whisper in the back of my being
A tug on that loose thread on my sleeve
A feeling of longing to see her again
She’s here, unseen but wholly present
when I need her most,
conjuring a smile from my sullen face,
reminding me that death is not the end,
but a beginning.
Blanche floats along
with the cloud of witnesses
especially for my benefit.
I am not afraid, for she is my angel:
My reminder of connection to the eternal.
© 2011 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Lynette Killam
I’m glad you found me through nimue’s site, Amy, so I could find you! Your poem charmed me…I share your belief that spirits can also be angels. My Irish blood knows that death does not mean the end…
Like you, I tread carefully through old houses, listening for the stories they have to tell me…:)
Lynette
Imagination Lane
Sharp Little Pencil
Kindred soul, Lynette. I will try to keep up with your blog! Thanks for the affirmation, and yes, treading carefully is how you hear what those places have to offer!
Peace, Amy
madhumakhi
Beautiful. ” death is not the end,
but a beginning.”
Very true!
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s how I’ve always felt. African ancestors feel that the spirits of the dead are always close by, ready to help. I feel the same way. So glad you stopped by = I’ll check your blog now. Peace, Amy
Old Ollie
So creepy. A well crafted poem SLP.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, O.O. I was hoping for a less creepy feel, but still, the whole ghost thing is fraught with scary edges!! Amy
ladynimue
I could relate to the feeling !
well expressed poem 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, nimue… heading over to you now!
ladynimue
I passed the versatile blogger award to you here :
http://ladynimue.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/versatile-blogger/
Hope you accept it [ no compulsions 😉 ]
Jingle
an angel ghost, sweet take….
well done.
🙂
Kim Nelson
Amy,
This one is lovely! Of all the ghost poems I read this week, this one stands out as deeper, uplifting, and exceedingly well written.
Sharp Little Pencil
Kim, thank you so much for this wonderful comment. Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
I so love this! Especially how she “floats along with the cloud of witnesses” and how she is your angel. Beautiful!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Sherry. The Cloud of Witnesses is thought of as very Christian, but African tradition teaches that the dead elders are always on hand as well. The floating part was, no pun intended, a momentary flight of fancy. She had such a burdensome life on earth in many ways, so I like to think of her as having that lightness only afforded those who have passed on…
RJ Clarken
I ♥ Blanche! Very cool how you portray her, and I really like the subtle ways you seem to know she’s always there.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, RJ. Wish you could have known her. All I have to go on are mostly stories, but she is in the marrow of my bones, you know? And a fellow manic-depressive, but in the days of Frankenstein ECT… She was a oner!
pamela
What a beautiful connection with a ghost.
Sad to say not my experience in the past.
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Now I’m hungry to hear about your experiences. I’m a ‘sensitive’ and have had some creepy encounters… how about you? Amy
1sojournal
Absolutely love this one. It hits the mark in so many ways: tone, imagery, emotions, and all while being so very realistic. Thank you for sharing all of this with us. I feel this one deeply,
Elizabeth
Sharp Little Pencil
Elizabeth, I’m honored by your comment. When someone tells me they don’t just get it, they FEEL it, that means the world to a poet. Peace, Amy
Eileen O'Neill
Amy,
I liked your poem very much indeed.
The link from this life to the next, is very nicely worded.
Best wishes, Eileen
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Eileen. Yes, I believe the two are linked, intimately. I once wrote a song that said, in part, that when I needed my mom, who’s been gone 20 years now, “I can feel here thisclose.” Know what I mean?
Peace, Amy
Fireblossom
My guardian angel is named Lorelei. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Do you know the song? Google it = old Ella Fitzgerald tune. My mom used to say we were descended from a race of mermaids… and men would hear our singing and smash themselves against the rocks! Nice thing to tell a 7-year-old, huh? LOL
lolamouse
What a wonderful tribute! Very comforting. Thank you.
Sharp Little Pencil
Lolamouse, welcome to my blog! Glad you came, so I could check out your work as well, great poetry. Thanks for the nice comment. Amy
Ellen
Amy,
This was beautiful and haunting; I loved it~
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Ellen. The best ghosts are the ones we know and trust!
Mary
I like the reminder that death is not the end and that spirits are a connection to the eternal. Nice blog, Amy!
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s so true, Mary, that there are spirits around us, helping. It’s an old African tradition, too, and I believe it. Thanks, hon! Amy