The Ghost on the Stairs

Whether we admit it or not, how many times have we had conversations with our ghosts long after they are ‘dead’ and gone from our lives — old lovers, old teachers, bosses, family members, coaches, early enemies, schoolmates… Settling scores, setting things right, making essential points we failed to do with them in now-ancient conversations and situations.

The French have a nice phrase — “esprit déscalier” — which could be translated as the spirit of the staircase, or wit of the staircase. In other words, “the perfect comeback or witty remark that one frustratingly comes up with only when the moment for doing so has passed.” I believe we have whole conversations with our ghosts that extend the spirit of esprit d’escalier throughout our lives.