Ghost in the Shell

Night falls, crow flops
knock, knock
who is peeking behind the shell?
shimmering hiss 
crawling out from under the seam
whispering Si, Si
It’s that time of the year
Si, Si 

Skin breaks, eyes roll
knock, knock
who is talking inside the shell?
bubbling sweat
spouting underneath the skull
creeping Ah, Ah
It’s that time of the year 
Ah, Ah 

Singing, laughing, shouting
invisibles rise to show
Drinking, dancing, crying
cripple starts to glow
Whirling, ghosting, hiding
true devil never reveals 

Door closed, candle blown
knock, knock
who was ghosted in the shell?
flickering lashes
waking abrupt from the floor
laughing No, No 
not yet, too soon
No, No

From the artist: This short poem tells a Halloween themed gathering. It was a twisted recall on those isolation times I spent on my bedroom floor.

QiNan is a bilingual writer with an uneven distribution of works produced. This is her first time publishing a poem in a creative arts journal. QiNan tries to write often. She also likes to make writer friends. So, if you find her work interesting, feel free to reach out and say hi. Click here to find more of her work.