with your ghost

i like to think of you as the ghost that walked along the sidewalks downtown without anyone else. i watch your shadow as if it were like the wings of an airplane cast out across my backyard.

you used to tell me that i belonged on the railroad. we would sit on the tracks that wrapped around the bottom of the afternoon sky. i wanted to tie the stones around your neck and watch you dance with the rust flying in your face like glitter.

you never went back home.

i hope you aren't cold. i hope all the blue sinks down inside of you and that you run your fingers and scratch along the skin of love.