Jung said that the greatest burden a child must bear is the unlived life of its parent. That’s what I see happening when the ghost of King Hamlet charges his son with avenging his death. Imagine being burdened with condemning your uncle so that you might somehow redeem your father. Imagine the desperation bound up in giving your last greatest desire to your indecisive son. How the ghost’s pathos might be expressed poetically fascinated me.
I walked this parapet
…………………………….when I had time
in the autumn when the fires lit
the night watch
and the fir and spruce tops glowed
days when I held my
scepter
…………….breath
…………………………….and lady
all
with one hand
but lingering in this limbo,
I have neither
…………………………….feet
…………………………….hands
…………………………….blood
…………………………….crown
…………………………….queen
or confession,
my own cut short
in the garden of my ambition,
now
…………………………….the sun tells me
…………………………….my time is up
…………………………….but yours is not,
…………………………….so what,
…………………………….in all this cold and all this dark,
will you do
when
I tell you a thing that will stand your neck hairs up and turn your young blood cold
.……………………………what will you be
…………………………….if ever I was father to you,
…………………………….be a son to me

Corey Latta, PhD, is a teacher, speaker, and writer. holds degrees in New Testament Studies, 20th Century Literature, and Counseling. He is the author of four books, including C. S. Lewis and the Art of Writing.