The Shadow

A shadow haunts me everywhere
of vacillating shape and size;
by day I drag about the form
that nightly, suffocating, lies 
upon me in my bed.

A shadow haunts me everywhere;
my heart has never yet been free.
it breathes the very air I breathe
and from my hands steals savagely
what would be wine and bread.

A shadow haunts me everywhere
and loosed...Oh! How I long to be
a spirit child of lightning grace
forever set at liberty:
the selfish shadow dead.

© 1987, Faye Lanham Gibson

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Richard Lamoureux

Date: 4/22/2014 7:08:00 AM

One day you will live in a city of light where no shadow will fall. I just love this piece what tremendous creativity.

Ilene Bauer

Date: 4/18/2014 6:59:00 PM

i enjoyed this poem and how beautifully you've used your rhyming. congrats on your win!

Faye Gibson
Date: 4/18/2014 7:26:00 PM

Thank you, Ilene. Hope to visit your work soon.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 4/18/2014 3:50:00 PM

Hi Faye, this was a lovely poem, i was happy to have it in my contest... Congratulations... ... By the way I have something to say to all who supported my ANY POEM # 19 contest. Shame on me, Shame on me! Please forgive me, for not taking the time, to CONGRATULATE and adore all the winning poems for a second or third time. I AM VERY LATE:(-- I was a little mad at the world. However, this is my winning list, I will give everyone the same love and support. I'm dropping by with a Copy Paste note from the bottom of my heart. I am sorry, it's not like me, to walk away, as if nothing. Truly, I appreciate every winning poem, and HM. LOVE LINDA

Faye Gibson
Date: 4/18/2014 7:27:00 PM

Thank you, Linda. Enjoyed the contest...and your work. I have been reading some do your poems.

Tim Ryerson

Date: 4/17/2014 2:26:00 PM

Well bust my buttons!! You entered a contest and made the winner's list! I see many more wins to come...SO proud of you my friend! - Tim

Faye Gibson
Date: 4/17/2014 4:35:00 PM

If I do, will you sing it? Thank you, Tim. And thanks again for keeping after me to join Poetry Soup. I needed you to do that and I need to write.

Tim Ryerson
Date: 4/17/2014 2:32:00 PM

Got so exited about your win that I forgot to tell you how much I like the poem! Love the repeating line to start each verse especially. Add a chorus and you've got a song...