Old Soul Vs A Haunt

When I was young people told me all the time

That I had an old soul.

I never struggled to understand what that meant

Or asked any questions. I already fucking knew.

Nowadays to be honest as I age

I feel like “old soul” doesn’t cut it —

I’m not old—I’m dead, decayed, fermenting— now I’m just

Haunted. I’m a haunt in my own body I am

Rattling and wheezing and my bones creak

Like an old house when I walk on pavement.

I am not long for this world and alas

I am not able to leave it. Trapped between destinations I am

A spirit, wasting.