Restless Apparitions

Thought I'd locked them up,
those memories, up tight
in the dark back of my mind.
But they escaped, one at a time.
At first, just strolling through
an occassional dream.
Dressed in gray haze,
obscure. Recognized only
by a slight tingle down my spine.
All the pain
I'd locked up with them
was free too, feeding them
until they grew brave enough
to venture closer,
introduce themselves again.
Now, I realize, too late,
I should have told someone.
I should have talked,
should have gotten help.
But the "should have's"
just follow the pain around
in my dreams,
like restless apparitions,
striving for whichever comes first

insanity or death...


This poem was written for the contest "Invalid Item" .