Just Friendly Neighborhood Ghosts
by hil hoover
Hey, put away your salt and rosemary,
your book and your bell,
you don't need your mama's witch jar
or your daddy’s warding spell.
We’re not here to ruin your day
or drag you down to hell,
so just give me a minute
and your worries I will quell.
My Mama in the kitchen there
just likes to smell the food
but she don't eat a crumb now
so don't let her sour your mood.
If you're sweet to her,
she’ll share a recipe
and tip some extra nilla in
if she thinks you're too stingy.
My papa with his blustery breath
might make the room too cool,
but he's just a sweet old fella
who used to teach high school.
Leave your papers out
and he’ll refine your work
or give him the crossword
to finish with a smirk.
If you hear jazz on Saturday,
it's just their grand romance,
they move right through the table now
when they decide to dance.
And me? I don't take up any room
I'm so very small,
but some new comic books
would make me the happiest ghost of all.
Oh, put away your salt and rosemary,
your book and your bell,
you don't need your mama's witch jar
or your daddy’s warding spell.
We're just a happy family
who weren't done living yet,
and we'll be the best neighbors
that you've ever met!
It's impossible to pick my favorite moment and image in this poem. I think the dancing through the table is one of the best uses of astral shapes. It's something so lovely and so lively, but so specifically ghost-like!