The Weight of a Shadow
written by: Lou Storey
forward facing into sun
heated rays soak layered cells
pink my legs, arms, face, sugar bowl ears
warming through the weave of cotton fibers
too large a head on too small a body
I watch others hurry this way and that
busy performing life scripts devoid of me
I am part of life as a shadow is part of day
insubstantial, fleeting, easily overlooked
my backward shadow never sees the sun
this clumsy body blocks the brilliant view
an injustice needing rescue in unexpected
leaps, sudden twirls, curious aerial contortions
allowing light to slip past, feed a starved shadow
these stolen gulps of light are offered with great effort
but it fights me, my shadow, never caught off guard
ever nimble to twist and dodge exposure
these unexplained contortions, my peculiar worries
set me apart, an oddity kept at a distance
my shadow’s refusal to share the heat of day
remains my darkest sorrow and steadfast failure
yet I persist a dancing fool ever hopeful
shifting soft-shoe shades of dark and light.
NOTE:
Based on the Prompt – The Weight of a Shadow
- The Weight of a Shadow - March 14, 2025
- Maxwell - February 6, 2025
- Spotlight On Writers – Lou Storey - December 21, 2024
