Souls Collide

I've been looking, don't say I haven't!

But it seem I've fallen into the bad habit

Of loving the wrong type, blissfully dumb

Then getting dumped, heartbroken and numb

Sometimes I just look at myself in the mirror

Trying hard to see what others see clearer

I see a plain person who deserves loneliness

I try to cheer up, I know I'm a mess

One day when I cry after looking at my reflection

I finally give up and accept the rejection

But then I feel a warm pressure on my shoulder

As though someone sitting near had moved in closer

Turning quickly, I see nothing strange

Looking again, I see the curtains have changed

They flutter like a wind has disturbed them

Shaking like a leaf, I lift up the crimson hem

The windows are closed, locked up tight

A voice, barley audible whispers, "It'll be alright."

My instincts tell me to run, but my mind says stay

The deeper voice comes again, "Please don't go away."

Settling against the wall I quietly ask the voice

"I suppose if you say I must stay, I have no choice?"

A light chuckle rang out then faded from the room

"Not every ghost you talk to is full of death and gloom."

I was afraid to even move but something pulled at me to stay

I surprised myself by saying, "I wish you hadn't gone away."

The voice seemed as startled as I, when it asked, "You remember me?'

Suddenly an image of a tall man settled in my mind, "Only a faint memory."

Sounding relieved the voice said, "That's all I need."

"I'll tell you the tale of hatefulness and greed."

I nodded an sat spellbound, unable to move an inch

Then I felt a hand on my shoulder which made me flinch

Not seeming to notice, he continued with his tale

"It was your father who set out for me to fail.

In a time long ago when you lived by the sea

Your father was a king and you told him you loved me

He wanted my vast land

So he gave me your hand

Then on our wedding night

He declared we must fight

Picking up a dagger

He struck and I staggered

Driving in the final blow

He sent me to a land of halos

You screamed at him and he locked you away

Kept you hungering in the dungeon 'til the last of your days

All I could do was watch helplessly

Which was horrific torture to me

But I'm here now, my love

Because we were meant to be."

Suddenly I recognized the voice

And knew I'd hated my father's choice

"It's you." I said in awed wonder

A rumbling laugh shook like thunder

A new man spoke, "I see you've found each other."

I stood and yelled, "I can't believe you, father!"

He laughed again and said, "I'll settle this, my sweet."

The other voice said, "I will not be trampled under your feet!"

Then a choking sound accompanied by a rumbling laugh

"You think you can beat me, you must be daft!"

I stood and yelled, "Stop father, leave him be!"

He answered, "Oh, I'll leave him, you'll see."

Then silence filled the room

Quiet as an ancient tomb

The young man remained, but the king had taken his ability

He could not touch, speak, or write things, he grunted with futility

No sound came, I began to stand

I called around the room, with my eyes I scanned

Nothing, not even a crooked curtain to prove

That my one true love had stood in this room

He yelled her name and wept, all without sound

She would not hear him again 'til she lay in the ground.