Sense

Even we can feel the dread.
In our human hackles.
Hairs. Shivers. Shadows.
The recent dead.
Elder. Ally. Rival.
Familiar creak of stair
on landing. Lover. Hearer.
Watcher. Waiting.
Mind. Expecting. Body.
Intent. A live imprint.
Survives.
Dwells.
Gone. But still.
Turned on.


And something must be done;
An undertaking.
And with respect,
for the hovering sense;
still under the spell.
For the ancestor.
It should be soon,
no delay,
not to sour
ceremony,
memory
with the very real
prospect
of decay.