Ghastly Dream Ghosts

Ghastly Dream Ghosts

Some dreams signal ghastly deeds
In past lives; likely, we prefer 
Not to be reminded.  The exorcism 
Of karmic fire offers the only cleansing. 

Some dream ghosts you grasp:  your mother’s
Broken heart healed, your public nakedness, robbers
Breaking down the door.

But this one recurs and baffles your equilibrium.
It is an invasion corrupting your private heart:
The one who baffles you

Is neither a father nor a God figure,
Just a former acquaintance you never knew well
And never touched (at least in this life).

Nor do you touch in the dream, except innocently,
Informally, though some strong emotion seems to float 
Beneath the surface of dream skin.

In your society of thoughts, you flesh out reasons 
For this intrusion:  a past life, too dim to remember,
Gives the only succor,  as you await enlightenment.

Trying to neutralize resentment, jealousy, or betrayal,
Your subconscious may be accusing, judging, condemning,
But for what you remain unaware.

Each visit of the form reshapes your conscience
And the day crawls on its belly:
You feel a sick-sweet love 

Coiling and spurning itself until you forget again
And get on with other details, but give it days or weeks
And the phantom reappears.

It begs exorcism: Burning karmic seeds to release 
The ghost in smoke.  You hope this specter is free of you—
You prefer to think this aberration is yours alone.

Original poem appearing in my collection titled “Turtle Woman & Other Poems” under the title “Aberration”