Remains of a Blurry Memory

I awoke to the rusted sun 

shining through a 6 foot tall window.

My eye lids struggled to stay shut, 

but were shrinking away from each other

as neurons jumped and revived.

A tall shadow crept in front of the rays 

melting away my catatonic state;

a dark figure makes itself known.

A crashing wave of fright struck the back of my brain 

expanding through my nerves, 

preparing them for flight.

 

A lanky figure with an apologetic face,

matronly-built torso and full legs

which fade into black chiffon dust 

toward the floor,

wedges itself between curiosity and superstition.  

I mentally shrunk into a crowded corner

where the fear of ghosts and mysterious figures reside.

I found my crying, shivering childhood self

cowering behind a memory 

of shadows who quickly left 

after they knew they had been seen.

When I peek out, 

the woman casting her shadow over me

shows her soft, weathered face.

Unmistakable now, 

I’ve known her before, 

in a certain time and space.

 

Blinking uncontrollably to refresh the image

and rid the room of the familiar intruder, 

I watch her waft closer with open arms and tilted head.

To avoid showing my soul to the eidolon of my past 

my heart turns away 

she shrinks like a deflating balloon 

but continues to glide closer.

Her hands gently caress my shoulder and graze my knee.

 

Taking a hard, deep breathe 

I expel a demand with hopeful certainty

“You’re not real, you’re not here!”

And it was true.

In the time it took to open my eyes

She disappeared.

She had come to comfort the inner cherub 

who felt more intensely abandoned than I 

would ever readily admit. 

In a strange way, I was happy to see her,

Its’ been almost a year since grandma passed away. 

Author's Note

Just enjoy the imagery.