Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


REMINISCENCE by DOROTHY ALLISON

First Line: LONG SINCE, THESE GHOSTS LAY DEAD -
Last Line: MEMORIES ARE ONLY HEAVY PRISONERS NOW.
Subject(s): GHOSTS; GAYS & LESBIANS; MEMORY; SUPERNATURAL; HOMOEROTICISM; LESBIANS; GAY WOMEN; GAY MEN;

Long since, these ghosts lay dead --
The laughter in your eyes,
The quietness of your words
When evening laid its coolness everywhere;
The dear ghost of your footsteps leaving,
Then coming back to me . . .

Now with strident stalkings
And hollow soundings of the heavy chains,
Night in and night out,
These creatures of the past
Are making marches again
In the dungeon of my heart.
Memories are only heavy prisoners now.



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