Peripheral Ghosts
the shadows wandering about just outside his line of sight.
Sometimes they speak. Sometimes they shout, sometimes plead.
And most times, they cry.
He wonders why. He can't see what he's done wrong.
They mow his lawn. They paint the walls and dust the shelves,
vacuum the floors and scrub the toilets. They feed him, cook his food.
They do everything.
They keep his house clean and working, but aren't allowed to touch his possessions.
After all, they may be ghosts, but he can still hurt them if he tries.
He works for a few hours every day, construction, and then he comes home.
And he sits before the television,