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