Shadow

The one thing that I can't escape
It always lingers near
No matter to what place I roam
Where I am it's here

I gaze into the dark below
My outline there I see
But even though it emulates,
The shadow is not me

Often I do try and hide
Begone you ling'ring shade
Am I so mean to run away
Though it beside me stayed

The shadow it does seem a trap
In which I'm intertwined
Here am I to stay awhile
It eats away my mind

Shall I accept humble defeat
Dealt by this lurking foe?
Or can I fight for freedom's sake
And destroy he who's below?

Fore'er attached we at the feet
Despite my want to leave
I first knew you from long ago
Tight are the webs we weave

Sometimes I want to be alone
And leave myself in thought
But there you are to me disturb
Can my freedom be bought?

For long have I tried to be nice
My work to be benign
The plan now seems completely failed
My life laid on the line

But still escape, it could be nigh
The hour of my relief
How soon before he does depart?
I hope the time be brief

All I can do is bite a nail
Until the time is o'er
And to my shadow wave goodbye
And kick it out the door

-Keith Smithson-