Dream of the Empty Classroom

The past would be less haunting
If it were more useful, if
It were possible to learn

From its lessons readily
As is supposed. You repeat
Not only similar days,

Make not only similar
Mistakes, but as you make them
Your ability’s reduced,

Your desire to learn’s reduced,
Your body’s reduced, and you
Find yourself haunted by you.

In tales, ghosts almost always
Arise from some injustice,
Done by or to the person

Now a ghost in consequence,
But the true ghost’s always both
The victim and the remorse.