Ghost of a Lover

I'm staring you in the face.
Why can't you see me?
I walk right through you,
But you think it's the wind.
I swear I'm still here!
How can you feel me,
But not see me?

I can't remember what happened.
I don't understand why you're lowering that casket
Six feet beneath the surface of cold earth.
Why does that headstone bear my name?
I'm still here!
I know you feel my hand on your shoulder.
I know you know it's me.

I saw the reaction on your face
As I ran my whispering fingers through your lovely hair.
You know I'm not dead...
At least not entirely...
I swear it's not the breeze caressing your hands.
It's me trying to make you see me.
Why won't you stop crying?

I can't take your tears.
They hurt more than the thought of this purgatory.
I wish you'd succumb to the feel of my hands
Cupping your face as I try to repair some mental damage.
It used to work...
But I was alive then...
What I wouldn't give to have you locked in my embrace now...

Please wipe away those salty crystals.
I can't do it for you this time.
I'm sorry this happened.
I didn't want to leave you,
The one thing that kept me going when I had nothing else.
I can't protect you from the cruelty of the world anymore,
But I can't leave you to grieve alone.

I can't leave your side after all that we've been through.
You still react to my ghostly touch
Even though you know that I'm physically gone.
I want to soothe your pain the way you used to soothe mine
If you'll let me.
I'm begging you to let me lay beside you and help you overcome this.
It's the only thing I'm capable of doing now...