Murdered By My Own Shadow

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Cold misty clouds rise above the grates
The streets only illumination, tossing shadows like pennies
Faded street lamps at each end
The cold is biting, as I roll the collar over my neck

I received a call earlier that day
A new client, who insisted not to meet,
At my office
Just fine with me, my office scared its fair share
Of prospects away

So glancing at my watch I waited
Under the street lamp, I lit a ***
To pass the time
Where was the dame?

I was beginning to guess this was some kind of hoax
Worse still I was missing a poker game over at the Pig&Bath
The tube was a few blocks away, and sooner rather than later
I should part company with this particular street lamp of no desire

Not a soul in site, I decided I’d been played for a fool
A pretty voice, that will get ya every time
As I sauntered away looking bored in case anyone was watching
I heard the click of my own shoes on concrete

I also heard an echo?
Was I being followed?
I crossed to the other side somewhat on edge
I had enough blokes that didn’t see my good side
Not that I ever saw much either

I quickened my pace
Whoever was behind seemed to quicken their pace
I turned the corner and now in a very fast walk
Ran for the main street, passing an alley that had seen better days

Something or someone grabbed at my trench coat
All of a sudden, here I am, pulled into a dark alley
I feel the punches, and what seems like a pipe
Hitting me repeatedly, yet I see no one

I cover my head, and try to keep silent
No use humoring this lug with the pleasure of my pain
On the ground, I feel the kicks into my ribs
Blood starts to spill from my mouth, 
Or who knows, maybe my nose

No concern of mine
As I wont have much of a face after this brutal feast
I hear the faint wisps and grunts, as I lay wounded
Whoever did this sure fancies himself a professional
I would like to say more, but I think is time for dreamland

No idea if I am unconscious, dead or dreaming
In a puddle of my own blood
I lie, in agony looking above at a strange face
My god, its my shadow!

He spits on me in disgust
Laughing, he says "finally I am free of you"
You rotten son of a Birch tree
At that he parts, off he goes to the land of the living

Walking away with some woman that I feel I should know
They laugh together, as I lie inside my own turmoil
The garbage pickup at dawn
Will dispose of my bones and dreams
Some PI I turned out to be

Murdered by my own shadow

Copyright © | Year Posted 2015



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12
Date: 5/20/2015 6:53:00 AM
I love your art, that is extemely light for you! Thank you for starting my cognitive day, Jill
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 5/24/2015 10:46:00 PM
Thank you for being so kind as to read this!!!!
Date: 2/5/2015 1:41:00 PM
Belated Congratulations on getting Poem of the Week for this amazing poem Arthur!
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 2/7/2015 9:02:00 PM
You are too kind Connie, thank you
Date: 1/29/2015 1:35:00 PM
Hey Arthur, reminds me of the old classic pi movies - great imagination and expression. Congratulations on your poem being chosen as Poem of the Week. Well deserved. Neva
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 10:55:00 PM
Thank you very much Neva
Date: 1/28/2015 8:46:00 PM
excellent pen beautifully crafted arthur congratulations on poem of the week
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 10:55:00 PM
Thank you liam, luck of the Irish as they say!!!
Date: 1/28/2015 12:55:00 PM
truly a top choice for POTW citation... big congrats, arthur!
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 10:54:00 PM
Thank you Nette!
Date: 1/27/2015 7:49:00 PM
Hey stopping by again. Congrats on poem of the week! You deserve it!
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Meg Anderson
Date: 1/30/2015 10:55:00 PM
Words. Lol is what I meant to say. Sometimes you have to just laugh at yourself.
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Meg Anderson
Date: 1/30/2015 10:53:00 PM
Arthur, your welcome. You do have a way with your ways. You are full of talent!
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 10:42:00 PM
Thank you kindly Meg!
Date: 1/27/2015 12:44:00 PM
I found this to be quite good you have a turn for your verse. Congratulations on being selected for the week. See if you like anything I wrote.
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 10:41:00 PM
Thank you Marilyn
Date: 1/27/2015 12:38:00 PM
my kind of story!! outstanding dear friend . . . 7
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 9:09:00 PM
Thanks David!
Date: 1/27/2015 11:05:00 AM
wow who would have though this had me hooked from the first word. brilliant write it even had me laughing at some PI I turned out to be murdered by my own shadow, you have an amazing talent here bless it be dee x p.s and to be poem of the week too :)
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 9:09:00 PM
Thank you Davina, glad you enjoyed!
Date: 1/26/2015 4:10:00 PM
Congratulations on Poem of the Week Arthur. Very Well-Done. Best Always, Gary
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 9:08:00 PM
Much appreciated Gary!
Date: 1/26/2015 8:55:00 AM
Captivating! I enjoyed your creative work, Arthur...congrats on being chosen TPOW. An excellent choice! Hugs, Rhonda
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 9:08:00 PM
Thank you Rhonda
Date: 1/26/2015 3:06:00 AM
Brilliant dexcrptive write Arthur many congrats on poem of the week:-) Hugs Jan xx
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 9:07:00 PM
Thanks Jan , Hugs right back at you! :)
Date: 1/25/2015 11:07:00 PM
Back to congratulate you on poem of the week good choice. Blessings and hugs eve
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/30/2015 9:06:00 PM
Thank you Eve, hope all is going well with you and family!
Date: 1/25/2015 8:01:00 PM
What a detective story written in poetry my friend it simply took my breath away, Suspense filled me in every line, I could not take my eyes of each verse until I finished the story, now this is a masterpiece of brilliance, BRAVO ARTHUR
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/25/2015 11:11:00 PM
Thanks Cherl!!!!
Date: 1/25/2015 3:35:00 PM
What an amazing piece of work!, a little scary but still very thrilling, congrats Arthur and keep it up :)
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/25/2015 11:10:00 PM
Thank you Mohamed, very kind words indeed!
Date: 1/25/2015 3:24:00 PM
Congrats on poem of the week...Seren
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/25/2015 11:10:00 PM
Thank you my friend
Date: 1/25/2015 1:48:00 PM
The last line is scary. What is a PI? Peace & Blessings Matthew anish
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/25/2015 11:12:00 PM
"PI" is an abbreviation for "Private Investigator" of which there are many famous black and white films made on the topic!
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Tim Smith
Date: 1/25/2015 6:47:00 PM
Private Investigator
Date: 1/25/2015 1:18:00 PM
Congrats on POTW Arthur... Verlena
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/25/2015 11:13:00 PM
Thank you Verlena! Hugs
Date: 1/25/2015 12:59:00 PM
Congrats my friend on being featured this week
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/25/2015 11:13:00 PM
Thanks Tim, Go Habs GO !!!!!
Date: 1/25/2015 11:37:00 AM
Brilliant write Arthur. Congratulations your piece being chosen poem of the week!
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/25/2015 11:13:00 PM
Merci bien Maurice!!
Date: 1/22/2015 5:48:00 PM
Brilliant.. Shadow boxing would have been survival training for you my friend! Love this write. A7 and truly an enjoyable read!!!
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/24/2015 11:04:00 AM
Thank you Robert!
Date: 1/20/2015 11:59:00 AM
Arthur, Yes. This was awesome! You reeled me in and I kept wanting to read more. I love it! Meg
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Meg Anderson
Date: 1/24/2015 3:41:00 PM
Lol
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/24/2015 11:04:00 AM
Thank you, I must have a really good fishing rod!!!!
Date: 1/19/2015 1:40:00 AM
Very powerful pen Art! Very clever concept I much enjoyed your piece my very dear friend. A 7 from me! Nice pics too! So glad you got it! Have a very lovely day! :) Love and hugs! xxxxx D. ^O^
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/24/2015 11:03:00 AM
Thank you Dorian!
Date: 1/18/2015 3:42:00 PM
That shadow of darkness and loneliness that follows us relentlessly, will eventually be the death of us... I loved the noir atmosphere that this poem creates. An excellent piece of writing, Arthur!
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/18/2015 3:52:00 PM
Thank you Kelly, thats what I was aiming for!
Date: 1/18/2015 2:40:00 PM
Arthur, you have become a storyteller, punched by your own shadow. Congratulations sir, I love it. a 7 ++++Eve
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Arthur Vaso
Date: 1/18/2015 3:52:00 PM
You are very kind as usual Eve!
12
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