Shadow Dance

I listen to my shadow as it wakes Contemplating its solitude, hearing how peacefully it Settles over dawn’s breath, and how it looks upon Last night’s fire, now a stain upon the earth I listen to the sky cleft open the dawn Watch as she tears a strip from her canvas taught with night’s frost, Allowing the last of the stars to slip away, unseen Whilst my shadow watches sleep invade my breath again I now listen as dawn unfolds about my camp Watch as the shadows slyly acquaint themselves And how impishly they mingle with the tall trees Until sunlight chases them all away I listen to my shadow bashfully retreat beneath me Solitude dissolving in birdsong and the Growing pains of the forest, as Clouds now collect to frighten the sky away I listen to the wind chase itself through the trees Moaning in search of those shadows, as Tired leaves fall amongst the cries of the forest, where Tears gather into cups of the fallen I listen to my shadow slurp greedily from the forest floor Gathering the tears of the fallen, cradling them Like his own flesh and blood, until the solitude returns And the night’s fire makes the shadows Dance with the forest once again