The Shadow

I have a light within
that I've somehow curtained,
put something in its way.
I cast a shadow across
everything. It is no defect
of the eye but of the spirit,
a flaw I have in me,
a dimming I pass on to settle
the scene and rob color
of its intensity.

I've gotten used 
to the dull glaze I bring 
that now it appears 
the natural state of things. 
Even water speared 
by the sun bleeds a muted sheen, 
no bright splinters of light 
ricochet off to be caught 
by eyes having to hide 
behind a squint, I can take
my reflections straight.

There are moments 
when I can feel a tightening
and something within me
stretch and tear the stitching 
on a seam. Light pours out
and affixes a patch of life
in a blinding beam, too bright
to hold or keep except 
for the afterglow it leaves
on a page or lingering 
for awhile on the horizons 
of a dream.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023

Poem

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Turner Avatar
March 16, 2023 at 5:29 PM
At least it's letting out enough light to write a good poem, Paul. may your inner light shine my friend:)
Willason Avatar
March 16, 2023 at 9:46 PM
Thanks Daniel. Lasted long enough but got pretty dim nearing the end.
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