Talking To My Shadow

 

 

 Talking to My Shadow

Long ago, I was a child,

Home alone never outside.

Spent some time,

For the other kids to say no

Then, looked at the wall

And saw my shadow

He took a bow

I was a gentleman now

And my boredom

Was over and done.

 

But then the night came

And my shadow ran away

For he said he feared the dark

Like me’ but brave enough to flee

 

I had a dream not too long ago,

Based on truth.

My hands were smeared

In crude and guilt

And all I touched

Became soiled in silt

And all I kissed

Withered and died

And no one wanted me around

 

Then my shadow appeared

On the ground of the mid-day heat

He waved and greeted me kindly

He stayed a while

I managed a smile

And for a time bled less darkness

 

But then the night came

And he said he had to leave

Because a shadow in a shadow

Made no sense

Very clever, just like me

But focussed enough to leave

 

As I walked my mind would churn

In acid burns and lessons learned

And my sins were piled high

Like sky scraping towers

Daintily charmed

With a few dead flowers

And a few sad souls

Hung out in the city

But no one wanted me near

 

Then my shadow appeared

Tall and stately in the evening sun

Though he was on the ground

He seemed to look down

When looking at me

I was at my lowest

Flatter than my shadow

He condescended and contended

With wreck he called his soul

And like a friend he was patient

Like family he was determined

To see me through

 

But then the night drew near

And he said he had to go

And as the amber sky burned dim

He bent westward, to the sun

And as he was leaning

I grabbed at his feet

But missed and grabbed the dirt

 

And then it was dark

Too much for even my shadow

To be at peace with me.

 

Author's Note

when i was little a baby sitter told me scary stories. She said that if i played with my shadow in the day it would come for me at night but he never did

Reviews

[James E. Peterson]

your imagination is your greatest tool deron. use it well.

[Anna]

Very sad beautiful story.
You managed to create a poem that holds attention without being too strong and wordy.
Really great word choice.

[Deron Alexis]

thanx I wasn't sure about the wod choice but I think i'll take your word for it

[scripted]

Great write!!! This was very well penned and had great detail throughout... I love the thought process and creativity in this poem! Thank you for sharing, yours truely Danielle

[Deron Alexis]

thanks for reading i'm glad you liked it

[Frieda P]

I can read so much into this, light and darkness of your soul, self acceptance and rejections, fear and courage. It speaks to me on so many levels. I just read your author's note and that makes sense, but I think it is drenched in so much more than that...deep, dark and delicious.

[Deron Alexis]

you're right when i wrote I had one message in mind but then i read it and found that it could mean different things would you mind telling me what you got

[Frieda P]

I remember offhand thinking you were not accepting of your dark side....I'd have to read it over again though to give you a better answer....