Meaning of "Ghosts" by Dan Fogelberg

"Ghosts" delves into the idea of the past haunting our present and influencing our future. The imagery of ghosts symbolizes memories, regrets, and unresolved emotions that linger in the corners of our minds, always a whisper away. The repetition of feeling these ghosts "near as my next breath" and yet "untouchable" suggests the intangible nature of our past experiences, which can deeply impact us but are impossible to grasp or change. The mention of "lost in love and found in reason" reflects the complex interplay of emotions and logic in our lives, where we are constantly torn between nostalgic yearning and rational thought. The ghosts that "call upon us" represent a reckoning with our own history and the lessons we can learn from it, acknowledging death as a constant presence that heightens our awareness of our freedom to shape our own destinies. The song urges us to confront our ghosts, make peace with them, and move forward with the wisdom gained from acknowledging our past.