The Ghosts Are Not Speaking

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The ghosts are not speaking

If you could see them

     (which you can not)

you would see them sitting

     (perhaps hovering is a more correct descriptor)

on wrought iron benches

back to back.

You would also notice

their crossed arms,

noses and chins pointed skyward with

righteous indignation.

These ghosts carry a grudge like 

others carried the ball and chain.

They have been bickering since 1897

The dead ignore them

The living are oblivious unless

they stir up too much of a fuss

     upset a flower pot or

     scare a horse

Most days, however, are spent in

quiet and purposeful disregard.

Neither actually remembers

the slight

but each ghost knows in her restless soul

that the other is at fault

and that it had something to do with

     evening gowns

     hurricanes

     and lemon chess pie.

So, the ghosts are not speaking

but if you could see them

     (which you can not)

you would see

at the corner of each one's mouth

a very

slight

grin.

submitted for Red Writing Hood #61 at Write on Edge