I stood beneath the lamp-post at the corner of the street
While the wind was playing catch me with the papers at my feet.
My constant gray companion, as I stamped against the cold,
Jumped in and out between my shoes, pretending to be bold.
But really he was timid, and although his neck he’d crane,
When I leaned back against the post, he’d jump right in again.
I looked along the gloomy street to see the next lamp, bright,
And I wondered if I’d find more comfort, in its yellow light
So then I stepped towards the light which beckoned from afar,
And the gloom wrapped all around me, uninviting and bizarre!
I looked down at the sidewalk and there, showing me the way,
Was my shadow, coyly peaking out along my passageway.
As I progressed, he hurried too, and stretched out longer yet,
But as he stretched in eagerness, the paler did he get.
To foil the cold I hurried on and Mr. Gray still lengthened,
And as the darkness deepened, the surrounding gloom was strengthened.
Poor Mr. Gray was fading as he stretched towards the light,
And when I’d reached the mid-way point, he’d vanished from my sight.
Though now alone, and missing him, the loss I felt was small,
For when he was abroad with me, he never spoke at all!
He simply stayed right at my feet with never any talking,
But he was always company whenever I went walking.
So now I’d passed the halfway point, ahead my destination,
But at my feet, no Mr. Gray to offer consolation!
I hurried on towards my goal, that street light, so inviting,
For there was shelter there, I knew; The prospect was exciting!
I glanced back to the other light with papers swirling round,
And to my very great surprise, behind me on the ground
Lay my companion, Mr. Gray, but now he’d turned around.
Now he was stretching back towards the spot that we’d vacated
Though little substance had he yet, he was so elongated.
Then as I walked towards the light he strengthened and contracted,
Until we reached the lamp-post and he lay there, now compacted.
Mr. Gray was back to normal, but I’m sure he’d tried to leave me,
For why else would he slip behind unless he would deceive me.
His fate, I think, is sealed to mine. We’re tied to one another,
And though sometimes he tries to leave, he’s closer than a brother!
One question I’d like answered, I’d truly like to know;
When the light has no direction, where do all our shadows go?
While standing near a bright lit lamp, they’re easy to espy,
Or if the sun shines brightly in a blue, unclouded sky
Our shadows are so bold and strong, the very darkest gray;
But if the sky is overcast, our shadows go away!
I see no way that I can solve this riddle, so profound,
But I’ll be pleased to hear it if the answer comes around.
Perhaps they slide into a box, so flat and warm and wide,
And meet their oldest friends there, when they’re huddled safe inside;
Or maybe they just roll up tight and slip beneath our shoes,
We ALL know that they will return! They’re very hard to lose!
Don Mulford