Cloud shadows and ghost sitings, McCormick Woods

Just know that as these things go, it was a small matter, indeed, considering all the time and gas and the emotional outlay that was involved in accomplishing just one ghost siting. But when you wake up and your brain is on fire to handle a particular kind of mission, well, you give yourself over to it and then run with it, see what you can see.

First off, though, know, too, that I am in complete control of the parameters of the game. The rules. And those rules are simple: no engagement. It has to be random, like cloud shadows passing over a meadow. You can't set up cloud shadows, and your shadow, let alone mine, must pass by without a sound, without guile or planning or sandtrap laying. It has to be out of the blue.
Very much like birding. You can go to any number of spots around the county and find great places to watch birds. Some are better than others. You pack a lunch, a good pair of binoculars, a birding guide and a comfortable set of clothes. This time of year particularly warm and water repellant ones. Not too much different than today.

Mind you, I wasn't out tramping about in the wetlands outside Gorst looking for eagles or kingfishers. Rather, I sat next to a defunct business up close to the fireplace shop right off of the highway where the traffic tightens up. I figured, better than anything else for a quick moment to catch your face. It felt alot like that scene in Wizard of Oz when our heroes were out tramping through those spooky woods with all their witch catching devices. You take along a handful just to see which one will work. Just like today. Would that spot along the highway in Gorst be any better to see you than the one down the block at the wildlife sanctuary?

Two years ago I sat alongside the 16 one morning and caught you out of the corner of my eye, and turned that passing moment into an epic poem. A few weeks ago I saw you, and later found out that I was seen, too, not by you but by folks I work with. It wasn't so hard to explain, that I was waiting for someone. But today I saw my friends pass by, and thought, in the end, after you didn't, that it was time to do a quick stations of the cross and call it a day. It was mighty early and I hadn't had my coffee.

Again, the rules of the game are to pass like clouds. I did my drive as I always do, took the old circular drive around your neighborhood were we used to walk, knowing that someday I would catch you out walking. I've done it a million times, it seems, over the years, nary a bite. But today, well, I have to say that I knew that coat. I remembered how you would wear your hood, the way that your hair would peek out from underneath it. I know your walk, your shape, your stride. Funny how I spent so much time by the side of the road just to see you pass by in your little silver car and now it was all turned around. I saw your face, turned around in my seat, caught your eye as I passed. You were on the phone but took a moment to wave before you went back to your conversation. I drove up the way, parked for a moment, then turned around. You disappeared down into that rabbit warren of a neighborhood and I lost you for the day.

Ghosts. They come in many shades, colors and temperments. Today I thought I was doing the haunting, and before I knew it, I was getting a big "boo!" thrown back at me.

We passed each other like cloud shadows today, M. Soft, treading lightly the surface of this earth and our times. I think that if I had gone back and pulled over just to hear your voice I would have broken the rules today. I must admit that I made an attempt, and as for breaking rules, well, I don't mind. Somebody has to do it. Even ghosts have a heart, my dear, even old ghosts like me.

Your WHMB