Shadowland

the sun 
low in the sky
yearns for a leap into night
as shadows squeeze their way into bedrooms
like shapeless dragons
for children
cocooned to an early bed
staging thoughts like puppet plays
on a wall terrain
of mossy caverns or whispering vines
that never merge dreams smoothly
when children imagine the huff and puff of shadows
like creatures swimming in circles
overlapping at a patchwork distance
before the painted black of night
quiets the pull of imagination 
in the candy cane bend of sleep
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Radice Avatar
January 5, 2024 at 6:20 AM
I'm so glad I came across this today Brian. It's up there with your very best. I love it. All the best for '24. Cheers - Gary
Sambourne Avatar
January 5, 2024 at 3:15 PM
Hi Gary. Very thoughtful of you to drop me a line. No new posting from me in weeks due to caregiver role with my mum in a nursing home. I hope to regain momentum soon. All the best in 2024, Brian
Callus Avatar
November 12, 2023 at 12:30 PM
Metaphors and personification give life to this excellent poem, Brian. It merits a place in my list of favs! ~ Regards // paul
Sambourne Avatar
November 12, 2023 at 7:09 PM
Greetings Pul, Thanks very much for your thumbs up regarding my poem on shadows + childhood. I appreciate the supportive acknowledgement. Be well. Brian
Wells Avatar
October 14, 2023 at 10:16 PM
For me, this poem beautifully captures the dreamy imaginings of children by masterfully carrying the reader through a surreal stream of images beginning with shadows and ending with sleep. You have a gift for writing this way. Very well penned, Brian!
Sambourne Avatar
October 15, 2023 at 7:14 AM
Hello Thomas, My appreciation for your thoughtful remarks on my poem. As poets we do draw from memory + then take imaginative license to sketch out a scene, an image. Thank you for your insightful words. Be well. Brian
Messina Avatar
October 14, 2023 at 2:28 AM
Another terrific write, Brian. This brought me way back to the days when I slept next to my siblings in our bunk beds and played a shadow game we created, in which we had to imagine what they resembled. I still secretly play it by myself (lol). Keep up the awesome writes. Stay well.. Charlie
Sambourne Avatar
October 15, 2023 at 7:19 AM
Thank you, Charles for your affirmative take on my posting. The response to it has been most reassuring considering my 2 NA's. As a child, I, too, played shadow games with tree shapes on my bedroom walls, imagining all sorts of other worlds. With appreciation. Be well. Brian
Baker Avatar
October 6, 2023 at 8:39 PM
You brought the thoughts of children into reality with this descriptive poetry, Brian. Thanks for sharing, my friend. Bill
Sambourne Avatar
October 7, 2023 at 5:23 AM
Greetings Bill, I hope all is well with you. Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I appreciate your input. Take care. Brian
Leggett Avatar
October 2, 2023 at 1:16 AM
A really lovely portrayal of childhood imagination - thanks Brian
Sambourne Avatar
October 2, 2023 at 6:26 AM
I appreciate your stop by + comment Diane. Thank you for adding an affirmative note. Best wishes, Brian
Kauffman Avatar
September 29, 2023 at 9:55 AM
Brian, the seamless flow of carefully placed bedtime childhood images - "candy cane," "puppet plays," "patchwork," and, my favorite "shadows squeeze their way into bedrooms," carries and enhances this vignette of putting a child to bed and watching them drift into slumber. Wonderfully crafted! Cheers and blessings of sweet slumber to you!
Sambourne Avatar
September 29, 2023 at 1:31 PM
Hello Sam, I much value your opinion on my poem of shadows. Such supportive words on the posting so I haven't deleted it after all despite the contest bypass. Thanks again. Good night's of slumber to you as well. Cheers, Brian
Messina Avatar
September 29, 2023 at 2:39 AM
Shadows on the bedroom walls always scared the hell out of me as a child (lol) Excellent write, Brian. Have a great weekend, my friend.
Sambourne Avatar
September 29, 2023 at 6:03 AM
Thanks very much for your vote of confidence in my poem. I appreciate the feed back. I hope that you are well. Cheers, Brian
Poet Avatar
September 28, 2023 at 7:03 AM
Dear friend Brian, your poetic lines are filled with magnificent imagery, transporting the reader to a world where shadows gracefully infiltrate bedrooms and intertwine at varying distances, resembling a beautifully crafted patchwork. I am truly grateful for your uplifting comment on my page.
Sambourne Avatar
September 28, 2023 at 7:53 AM
Hello Lasaad, Thank you for your thoughtful, affirmative message about my poem. Shadows in bedrooms + children's imaginations seemed like a good fit. With appreciation, Brian
Bowring Avatar
September 27, 2023 at 8:08 AM
What a delightful poem to read Brian. So many wonderful lines,’ as shadows squeeze their way into bedrooms’,’ overlapping at a patchwork distance’ and the beautiful last line. Such wonderful, vivid imagery and creation within great poetic lines. Really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing.
Sambourne Avatar
September 27, 2023 at 12:33 PM
Wow, thank you Christina. I didn't put much stock in the poem after it received a couple of NA's. I am reassured + very pleased that the poem resonated with you. Best wishes, Brian
Kendrick Avatar
September 26, 2023 at 5:03 AM
Ahhh!!! How descriptive using some wonderful metaphors. I enjoyed reading this expressive and creative one. Bedtime is a wonderful time for some children but for others a time of scary dreams. Sara
Sambourne Avatar
September 26, 2023 at 6:23 AM
Thanks very much for your vote of confidence in my posting Sara, as the magically scary shapes of shadows was not popular with contest sponsors. With appreciation, Brian
M  Avatar
September 23, 2023 at 6:51 AM
Hey Brian….beautiful Poem….love the last line ending the poem perfectly! Debx
Sambourne Avatar
September 23, 2023 at 4:10 PM
Hello Deb, I appreciate your drop by and encouraging message. Take care + thanks again, Brian
Jones Avatar
September 23, 2023 at 2:30 AM
Wow. Wonderful imagery and great ideas penned in this masterpiece. Well done.
Sambourne Avatar
September 23, 2023 at 5:38 AM
Thanks very much Karen, for your appraisal of my poem. Shadows + children seeing images seemed a natural fit. Best wishes, Brian
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