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Shadows Reborn Each Morn

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A shadow is a dark area where light from a light source is blocked by an opaque object. It occupies all of the three-dimensional volume behind an object with light in front of it. The cross section of a shadow is a two-dimensional silhouette, or a reverse projection of the object blocking the light.

From Peter Pan

In the film, while Peter was visiting the Darling household to listen to stories, the Darling's dog Nana barked at the intruders and while Peter escaped, his shadow was captured. That night, Wendy Darling discovered the shadow and stored it in her drawer to prevent it from getting into trouble. The next night, Peter and Tinker Bell returned to retrieve it. When they found it, they accidentally woke Wendy. As Peter attempted to restore it with soap, Wendy preferred the proper way, and sewed it back on.

“Oh, Peter, I knew you’d come back! I saved your shadow for you. Oh, I do hope it isn’t rumpled. You know, you look exactly the way I thought you would. A little taller perhaps.”

“You can’t stick it on with soap, Peter! It needs sewing. That’s the proper way to do it.”

“After all, one can’t leave his shadow lying about and not miss it sooner or later, don’t you agree?”

peter pan using soap to reattach his shadow

Listen to poem:
Shadows detach at dusk to sneak silently away to roost together like bats in rookeries, hanging upside down, wrapped in black mantles, gossiping. Each shadow reborn each morn seeks out its host like a parasite seeking sustenance and succour, for a shadow detached is inanimate and non-existent. Shadows need light and objects to cast silhouettes to give shadows life, substance and vitality. Only things of this world cast shadows, So things and beings that cast no shadow are spooky. Shadows follow you around mirroring every move you make. In endless shadow-puppet performances they often give you away when you sneak up, and showcase your slinks and skulks when you slither away. The brighter the light the stronger the shadow. Multiple lights cast multiple shadows. Shadows are too dark and foreboding of death and evil to be friends For shadows are cast by the living, the dead and lifeless things. But only the living animate shadows into life.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




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Book: Reflection on the Important Things