Saturday, June 19, 2021

The Ghost of Absent Goodbyes


 Linking with the Sunday Muse for Muse #165.  Hosted this week by the blazing talent Shay!

Come join us!

 

 

“She’ll tell you this house is haunted, but I believe the truth of the matter is that people get haunted.  Not places.”  ~ Will Laughlin

 

I had another dream about your absent goodbye

There was a standing crow cawing to the sky

He spoke of open wings

And he spoke of flight

I heard him from my heart

Yes from the deepest part

Freedom is a lonesome drive

Where fathers leave

And mothers cry

Then all the children wonder, why?

I know this in my heart

Yes from the deepest part

I stood at the window facing south

Yet not in those walls

But outside that house

hunting familiar ghosts

like a boy scout

 I have seen them in my heart

Yes from the deepest part

Regret is a mirage down a long hot road

A broken-down car that cannot leave home

It steals and borrows until you're broke

I have seen this in my heart

Yes from the deepest part.


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26 comments:

  1. FireblossomJune 19, 2021 at 7:44 AM

    Yes, regret will steal until there's nothing left. Who is Will Laughlin? I like the quote.

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    1. Carrie Van HornJune 19, 2021 at 7:56 AM

      I think he is the headmaster of a school, but I find a lot of quotes on Quote Garden. I came across it there, and loved it.

      Delete
  2. indybevJune 19, 2021 at 8:33 AM

    "Freedom is a lonesome drive" and "regret is a mirage down a long, hot road" ... wonderful descriptive phrases! I loved the repetition that drew it all together.

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  3. HelenJune 19, 2021 at 8:35 AM

    The way you wove blurred, ghostly, dreamlike ~~~ nice indeed!

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  4. hedgewitchJune 19, 2021 at 8:39 AM

    A wise and musical poem, Carrie. I really like the way you've used the refrain to get your feelings across.

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    Replies
    1. Carrie Van HornJune 19, 2021 at 9:14 AM

      Thank you so much Joy! I went round and round with the refrain with other things until I settled with what was. Sometimes writing poetry can be a dance of decisions. :-)

      Delete
  5. Sherry Blue SkyJune 19, 2021 at 9:55 AM

    Carrie, you had me at the title - what a great one! And "regret is a mirage down a long hot road." Wow. The photo sent me in somewhat the same direction. This poem of yours has so many lines that toll the memory bells in my heart. Sigh. I think we may have made similar journeys.

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    Replies
    1. Carrie Van HornJune 19, 2021 at 10:04 AM

      Thank you so much dear Sherry! I agree, I think our journeys have been on a similar gravel road for sure.

      Delete
  6. JimJune 19, 2021 at 10:55 AM

    I too liked your quote by Laughlin.
    The poet's regret is the bum she hooked with, nothing her fault. I know a lady who expresses her regret, "dummy me." On a family vacation the guy left one night by window when all were sleeping. I see him every now and then but we've never talked on those lines.
    (I can relate to of the cars, neither of my Mustangs run right now.)
    ..

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    1. JimJune 19, 2021 at 10:57 AM

      Too, too, too, a hundred times. Sorry.
      ..

      Delete
  7. qbitJune 19, 2021 at 11:27 AM

    I find these the most haunting lines - "I stood at the window facing south / Yet not in those walls" Wonderfully enigmatic and suggestive. Haunted people for sure. Well done.

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    1. Carrie Van HornJune 19, 2021 at 11:49 AM

      Thank you so much Qbit! My evil and eerie plan worked I see! :-)

      Delete
  8. indybevJune 19, 2021 at 11:49 AM

    Psst!...you might want to change that line "until your broke" to "you're broke"

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    Replies
    1. Carrie Van HornJune 19, 2021 at 2:07 PM

      Thanks Bev....I am famous for those kind of errors.

      Delete
  9. robkistnerJune 19, 2021 at 12:33 PM

    “Regret is a mirage down a long hot road

    A broken-down car that cannot leave home”

    Damn Carrie, that is strong — and so right on it hurts. This entire piece is powerful, honest, and haunting — and beautiful. Excellent writing my friend.

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  10. kaykualaJune 19, 2021 at 4:41 PM

    Love the read Carrie, Ma'am! The repetitions bring out the beauty. One looks forward to which one to be repeated next that it did not feel time and we came to the end! Is this a particular form or just your wonderful innovative initiative? Great!

    Hank

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  11. C. SandlinJune 20, 2021 at 5:50 AM

    This sidles right up and wrings the heart. Beautiful.

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  12. Gillena CoxJune 20, 2021 at 5:55 AM

    "absent goodbye" a profound image that can draw one in to pondering forever and a day
    Happy Sunday

    Much💛love

    ReplyDelete
  13. Marion HortonJune 20, 2021 at 7:25 AM

    That repeating refrain is so poignant, emphasising the sadness and regret. And these lines really hit the spot:

    'Regret is a mirage down a long hot road

    A broken-down car that cannot leave home' . Fabulous.

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  14. .June 20, 2021 at 11:51 AM

    Yes, people get haunted, by listening from the heart. There was a standing crow cawing to the sky... The repetition of lines accentuates the rest of the poem.
    Loved it!

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  15. CadJune 20, 2021 at 1:47 PM

    I enjoyed you ghostly offering :-)

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  16. JadeLiJune 20, 2021 at 4:48 PM

    Families, who give us life and context, are also the most complicated and messy to deal with. Why does this being human business have to be so hard so often? I feel the pain emanating from your words and my sympathy goes to you.

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  17. Doctor FTSEJune 21, 2021 at 12:43 AM

    Lovely, and sad. Inspired title.

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