Ghost Story / Hollow Wind by Jonel Abellanosa

Ghost Story

I remember the man in the black shirt –

My father. The woman sitting by the

Golden candelabra, holding his hand,

Isn’t  my mother. She wears gloom

Like a black veil, staring at roses. 

White orchids and lilies seem invisible

To her. Smells of burnt wax and

Sampaguitas make me dizzy.

They are alone in the chapel, the pews

Brown with absence. The wooden

Lectern’s crucifix draws my gaze, as if

A power is pulling me through the

Glass sliding door. I will myself where

I stand outside, watching them from

Where I feel weightless among leaves,

As if I’m the tree and the tree is me.

I see the folded piece of paper resting

On the coffin, remembering it is

The suicide note I’ve written.

Hollow Wind

The poet sits alone.
He feels the brush on
His cheek as it rises
And murmurs with fronds.
No one else is homeless
This dawn. Only the early
Sun sees the ghosts.

Jonel Abellanosa resides in Cebu City, the Philippines. His fourth chapbook, "Songs from My Mind's Tree" has recently been published by Clare Songbirds Publishing House (New York), which will also publish his full-length collection, "Multiverse." He is a Pushcart Prize, Dwarf Stars and Best of the Net nominee.

Our Old House by Jonel Abellanosa

Nostalgia’s cabin in childhood’s woods

Bordered by brick and birdsong.

You returned against the doctor’s warning. 

To catch the sinking sun, your calm

Mocking our alarm. You said you like

The dusk to silence your heart.

Last month we agreed to return. 

We recalled: your children feigning

Attention, waiting for you to take out your

Wallet for our weekly allowance, as mom

Prepared breakfast.

After the third dinner we borrowed

Three mugs from your collection,

Believing we have your permission.

I swear I smelled sampaguitas

And snuffed-out candles. 

We gathered round your rocker

With coffee and more stories.

I thought I saw fireflies outside. 

Looking closely: moth on the wall. 

Listen! said your other son. 

Absence of words echoed our refusal

To believe in your absence.

  

Jonel Abellanosa resides in Cebu City, the Philippines.  His poetry has appeared in numerous journals including Rattle, Black Poppy Review, Anglican Theological Review, Poetry Kanto, The McNeese Review, Pedestal.  He has two chapbooks, “Pictures of the Floating World” (Kind of a Hurricane Press) and “The Freeflowing All” (Black Poppy Review).