When I was a ghost
imploding in silence
My mind fed on regurgitations of life
Brimmed over with old stuff to share
Like a fountain in a park
Where the people use their pennies for the bus

When I was asleep
I thought I was awake
Until I really did wake up
And realized I'd been asleep

You really don't know
What your words have meant to me

When I was a ghost
A solid word anchored me in reality
When I was asleep
An eye to eye encounter
Rocked me in comfort
Roused me to love 

*************
I wrote this poem to honor my friends 
after an operation that restored my sense 
of hearing after 12 years of profound deafness.