I Am a Ghost Riding the Nose of Life

Here I fulfill a commitment to Denise’s granddaughter. Here is how I acquired the commitment: On canvas was a painting that said, clearly to anyone wearing glasses, “A Ghost Riding the Wave of Life.” Not wearing glasses, I misread it as “A Ghost Riding the Nose of Life.” She thought it was funny; I thought I should make up for my goof, so I told her I’d write a poem entitled “I Am a Ghost Riding the Nose of Life.”

Here is the poem transcribed:

Life is a weird man with
   a white beard and
   a surprised look

And I am the ghost
   of a girl
   on a skateboard

Riding on Life’s
   N  O  S  E

Beyond his nose is the great
   B  E  Y  O  N  D

Staying on his nose
   is tricky
But I am up to it

And I am up
   to unghosting
   myself

and coming back to my
mom and my bubba and my
uncle sean and my ninny–
REAL Life!