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I can see us
sitting in the dimly-lit field
at the College,
when a sudden chill came on,
unhinging the moment.
Together we turned and stared
at the many-windowed north wall.
Across that stone exterior
an apparition walked,
six feet tall with beard, long coat
and guiding lantern—
translucent hermit.
He was electric, fluid,
arising at one window,
vanishing into another.
Rapt, I breathed,
"We’ve seen a ghost. We’ve seen a ghost!"
You, calm, familiar
with ghosts and spirits,
gave a shrug,
remained untouched.
No other witnesses
except the leafless trees.
Visitation,
University College
by Clara Blackwood
from: Visitations,
©2004
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