Old Ghosts - Emma Pollock

I’m not sorry that you’re gone

The hell we raised was always fun

But I’m not sorry that you’re gone

I’d pick the place, you’d pick a fight

And all who witnessed lost the night

To the unravelling of spite and all things we collected

And how am I supposed to speak to

Those I ridiculed but still looked up to?

Oh, coming here it takes some nerve

So I am grateful for your generous omission of unwelcome reminiscing

Why so reasonable now?

Why so reasonable now?

What you got that’s so important?

It just can’t wait for morning call

Coming here I meet old ghosts

And one that I fear more than most

The grasping hand it takes my throat as I ascend the stairway

And as the mirror does remind

I know you’re never far behind

Oh, please don’t make a fuss the years just took their toll on us

Years fall off me as I reach you

And here again I am the child that once revered you

If this body must hold two

I’ll pray the other is not you

And I will run so fast I’ll lose you from the looking glass

Why so reasonable now?

Why so reasonable now?

What you got that’s so important?

It just can’t wait for morning call

Why so reasonable now?

Why so reasonable now?

Whatever happened to all of your people?

Whatever happened to all of your boys?

Chasing their tail between market and steeple

Whatever happened to all of your boys?

Whatever happened to all of your boys?

And how am I supposed to speak to

Those I ridiculed but still looked up to?

Years fall off me as I reach you

And here again I am the child that once revered you

And how am I supposed to speak to

Those I ridiculed but still looked up to?

Years fall off me as I reach you

And here again I am the child that once revered you