she waved her hands
over
the crystal ball
on the table
between us
muttering
under her breath
while i stared
at the mists
as they swirled
thickly
within the globe

then she stopped
arched
an eyebrow at me
as her lip
curled
in disdain
with no pomp
she stood and pointed
towards
the door behind me
dismissal
easily read

my mouth worked
soundlessly
as i tried
to understand
what had occured
in such a quick
chain
yet she spoke
no words to me
just glared
and pointed
at the door
as anger
radiated
from her gnarled finger

once outside
in the cool
evening air
the ghosts
that haunt me
laughed uproariously
at my dismay
they whispered
i couldn’t
get rid of them
that easily
and then
chattered endlessly
as i drove
down the lonely
highway