HOME | DD
AlecBell — Shadowing
Published: 2009-12-13 14:35:36 +0000 UTC; Views: 469; Favourites: 15; Downloads: 15
Redirect to original
Description
1Even our shadows, as they
fall upon the ground, are ancient.
Empty flagstones darken for
a moment, exactly as they always
have since first this patio was paved.
2
Is your shadow insubstantial?
Does it in a single day evolve
through seasons, wax and wane,
from dawn to noon to dusk?
3
Shall we meet this evening by candle light?
Will there be restless flares to light the way?
In the fireplace, will ravenous flames consume
great logs from a felled, dismembered tree?
Do our shadows, as they cower, leap
and hide from those cavorting tongues,
recover for us those primordial fears our
ancient forebears knew, the dread
that kept them watching,
that denied them sleep?
Related content
Comments: 35
I am very happy to have found this piece; it is truly inspirational.
Every move is precise and each word selected with utmost precision. The flow of this poem is amazing and the breaks in the lines have been well placed.
My favorite verse is most definitely the final one; I love the emotion you portray is this piece and you the theme in it is well thought out. However, I have seen such themes before, so it is not truly original, but then again, it is hard to create something truly original nowadays. It is about how you portray it and that is something you have done well.
This was a delight to read. e.deviantart.net/emoticons/h/h… " width="15" height="13" alt="
e.deviantart.net/emoticons/p/p… " width="15" height="16" alt="
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Do the shadows refer to the individuals themselves or perhaps a fragment? Just curious I could not quite find the relation but some wonderful imagery came to mind.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
The shapes and significance of the shadows await the reader's decision.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
i could feel the cool and wondrous hairline cracks between each word in that first stanza, and that opening sentence has settled in my bones.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you for such a positive comment
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
A
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Absolutely beautiful :] The imagery is very rich, and the intent is clear. Not particularly stressful or mind-bending, but with something to think about nonetheless.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you, Alexander, I'm pleased you enjoyed it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I'm pleased you liked it Erin
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I really enjoyed this...the inquiry to a search; 'ancient' - as you describe it 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks very much, Natalie.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
The evolution of a shadow.
So many spinoff thoughts arise from that phrase. I will ponder it and one day write of its progeny.
... and give you credit for being the deadbeat father of a poem...
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thank you Gypsy. I'm glad you find it stimulating.
I shall look forward to your poem!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
But pathways of hindered light, yet can evoke mystery. Something in our psyche responds.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
pure excellence, Alec.
from the shadows, to the
light and fire which
creates them, to the
fears they represent,
to the thoughts of
light and shadow in
the reader's mind.
...of photons from
the dawn of time drowned
in those even younger than
six minutes, but still
there, altered by that
consciousness, ours and
its. and, what is it?
with your stream you
cause our stream to veer
to deeper waters.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
This a poem that changed direction as it grew
I was thinking of the shadow in its psychological context initially, but the themes began to open up.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
yes, Alec, all things
evolve, even poems.
i've taken my comment
and made it into a poem,
believe it or not. i'll
post it as soon as i read
it over a few more times
for possible editing.
like billiard balls, our
thinking ricochets.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
that is an awesome comment for an awesome piece
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
