The Shadow Line
written by: Ian Fletcher
Gary crossed it
at the age of fifty-five
when a promotion
no longer satisfied
his desire thus got
without content.
Milly crossed it
when the wolf whistles
she had long despised
began to disappear
leaving silence
forever in her ears.
Barry crossed it
when his dad died
as he’d always been
his father’s pride.
Connie crossed it
when she retired
her whole life losing
meaning for a while
as if she had expired.
Max and Jill crossed it
together when the kids
up and left the nest
leaving them alone
in their own home.
So, if you have not
yet crossed the line
that’s all quite fine
for cross it you will
all in good time.
Born and raised in Cardiff, Wales, Ian has an MA in English from Oxford University. He lives in Taiwan with his wife, two daughters and cat. He teaches English in a high school. He has had poems and short stories published in Duane’s PoeTree, Tuck Magazine, Best Poetry, The Ekphrastic Review, 1947 A Literary Journal, Spillwords Press, Dead Snakes, Your One Phone Call, Schlock! Webzine, Short-story.me, Literary Yard, Indian Periodical, Anotherealm, Under the Bed, A Story In 100 Words, Poems and Poetry, Friday Flash Fiction, The Drabble, and in various anthologies.
Latest posts by Ian Fletcher (see all)
- Golden Boy - July 8, 2024
- Sic Transit - April 19, 2024
- The Statue - September 5, 2023
