SHADOWS OF GHOSTS*
The shadows of ghosts
are most feared
among the living
For the phantoms themselves
are but empty illusion
Yet their inkblot trails,
once perceived by mortals,
are evidence that
unfettered souls are still privy
to the whispers of men
Shadows of ghosts,
silent witnesses to
humankind’s
immoral deeds
on this earth
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
For Open Link Monday at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads; also at my poetic haunt, Poets United. Image by Wikipedia Commons.
This poem flew out of my pencil while watching “Elizabeth: The Golden Age.” Many good things to say about this movie, except that it reprises Elizabeth’s putting on armor and rallying the peasantry once more. Having said that, Clive Owen, Geoffrey Rush, Abbie Cornish, and especially the luminescent Samantha Morton (as Mary Queen of Scots), and Elizabeth herself in the person of Cate Blanchet, all did very well.
* The phrase, “the shadow of ghosts,” has nothing to do with the poem (plus it’s singular in the movie), but I had to give credit to the screenwriters, William Nicholson and Michael Hirst, for penning it and inspiring this poem. Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Björn Rudberg (brudberg)
Oh such ghosts scare me too
wolfsrosebud
nice feel to this
McGuffy Ann
I love this! Very powerful imagery.
vivinfrance
As usual, Amy. you’ve made me think – about where our poems come from, for a start, but also about fear of the irrational unexplainable aspects of life.
Kay, Alberta, Canada
Very nice write, Amy. I love it when poems spring out for us, triggered by a thought or a sight or a sound.
K
kimnelsonwrites
Fabulous lines, here, Amy. One of the best? “Unfettered souls privy to the whispers of men.” Tight, engaging write.
Sabio Lantz
You inspired me to enjoy some play (hope you don’t mind). I have used many of your words (and perhaps some of your ideas and structure) to create a poetic reply-comment. Does it resonate?
Which is feared most
shadows or ghosts
or maybe just the living?
The inkblot of souls
unfettered and bold
expose men’s trail of privy.
Shadow of ghosts
and whispers of men
witness deeds not so pretty.
margaretbednar
A lone shadow… word scare me mightily! I wonder if a movie has ever been made with this theme?
laughwithme45
This does sound like the beginning of a good movie (a little scary too!). I like your new picture!
brian miller
nice…intriguing as well this spilled out from the movie too…i wonder in reading the first stanza is it is the shadow of actual ghosts, or the living that cast them, mere ghosts themselves at times…either way you sent my mind to thinking…never a bad thing…smiles.
Talon
I like the idea of the shadow of ghosts. I think they might be more frightening than the actual apparition! This was really neat.
charleselliott
Hey, ghosts just enjoy seeing people having FUN!
Beth Winter
I do, I do, I do believe in shadows of ghosts. What a wonderful poem.
Tony Maude
Thanks for the insight into the process behind these wonderful lines, Amy. Just for information, there is no copyright on titles.
Mary
I am sure the shadows of ghosts are very busy these days with all that is going on in the world.
Akila
loved the last para…shadows of ghosts being witnesses to the inhumane acts on earth!! quite a thought…
Ayala
A powerful write !