A ghost of heartbreak can only observe.

When he speaks, it falls on deaf ears.

Time moves differently.

Moments for them are eternity for the ghost.

Hovering with no place to take root.

Crying out “I’m not dead yet!”

The ferryman rows, he’s heard that before.

No coins on the river Styx is a bad place to be.

“For special cases the fair is covered.” Says the hooded Ferryman with Skeletal hands.

“Special cases?” Asks the inquisitive being.

“The coins aren’t just for the fair, they also help you with the haze of passing through.”

“The haze?”

“The heaviness you’re feeling. To cover your eyes. A way to forget, to dissolve.”

“… I don’t want to forget.”

“Your kind always forgets. Genocide, Love, miracles, you forget them all because you’ve forgotten that you will one day be a passenger on my boat.”

“I won’t forget.”

“They will… and there isn’t much to do but accept it”

“… you said I’m a special case.”

“If you want to scream you can. If you want to hit something, hit me, but the truth is it won’t change anything.”

The inquisitive being starts to cry. Tears roll down his cheeks.

“I’m sorry… most people don’t cry, they just freak out or panic. I’m not really used to that.” Says the ferryman.

“Neither am I.” Says the former man. “I’m not so much scared to be on this boat actually, I just feel so heavy right here.” he points to where his heart would be. “Will she ever know?”

“Probably not.”

Silence.

- Afrim Gjonbalaj (05/10/2024)