i remember a time
when my father was sent to the hospital
certainly for more than a day

i walked my feet under the light of the moon
to wish my mother goodnight
i told her i was going to sleep
she said that she might
and despite the crippling darkness
i could see it in her eyes

there was a love that had been worn
for 33 years
but was stronger than what we're used to
nevertheless, there was a burning crave
for one another like they had been 19
and their love was selfish, curious and brand new

ive never seen my mother so vulnerable
unsure of how ghosts may treat her
will they even visit?
whether shell learn to live without them,
learn to love outside the physical world,
or love them inside, from a distance

*theres an undying love in the foundation of my house