Don’t try to outrun
your shadow.
Long dark mirror self,
rorshach blot, individual
as a fingerprint.
It’s especially perilous when
gliding on a round of ice,
carbon blades slicing into
a shadow dance of toe loops
crossovers and
death spirals.
Or when pedaling down
a gravel path breathless.
Crunch of treadless tires
bouncing in ruts.
Handlebars veer left.
Right yourself – quick!
before tumbling into
a cache of prickers.
Don’t think about leaving
your dark self behind.
Remember Peter Pan.
His shadow playmate,
a lonely piece of wash,
hanging out the window
‘til Mrs. Darling rolled it up
and tucked it into a drawer
only to be stitched back on
when he returned
from Neverland.
It is safer to befriend
your shadow companion,
stain that he is. Stroll
together. Take a breath.
Embrace the slant
of light.
Elise Chadwick 