The Dead Visit

The dead come to visit me, although they are all very dead, they wake my sweet sleep calling out my name, and I am entwined with these shadows! I make some coffee and sit in the living room. I wait sipping and gasping for fresh air. But, suddenly the dead are above me and, sitting there beside me on my thread-bare flowered sofa we cling to each other. All my loved dead souls gathered in my living room, beside me holding my hand is my dear long gone mother, and grandma is close in her old rocking chair rocking, but, they are just hazy, gauzy shadows. (I am holding my baby) Others sit quietly waiting to speak. I turn to my father on my right and ask, dad how is it you are here? He starts to weep, oh we are the dead who did not want to die in life, we did not want to leave, so, we come back to visit and to keep you close to our souls. Dad, do you roam other places or just come here in my dreams? (My husband places a cold kiss on my lips, touches my hair.) Or dad perhaps this is not a dream? and he answers, oh yes daughter I roam the forests, I loved in life, watch the birds flying, the water rippling, that is where you will find me, and mother tells me, she is always beside, inside protecting me, and grandma rocks and sweetly whispers, I never leave you. Then, I wake to birds peacefully chirping a lovely song outside, yet, I know at night the dead will be back to visit me. _____________________ November 10, 2018 Poetry/Free Verse/The Dead Visit Copyright Protected, ID 18-1084-156-01 All Rights Reserved. Written under Pseudonym. Submitted to the contest, Best Free Verse In November, 2018, sponsor, Lu Loo Third Place