My shadow is not me 

But it might as well be.

My very first childhood friend 

Never left me alone.

When I looked down 

I saw we had the same feet.

I would kick and he kicked

Dance and he danced.

At night

He got under the covers with me

And died in the dark.

 

My shadow is me, ever me, always me.

Even when 

He became detached from me

 Running away as I ran away 

I treated him as an outsider

He stayed outside.​

I turned the light on in the morning

And only saw my feet.

 

My shadow is me and not me.

Part known — part never here known.

Behind the bars on the other side,

On the street beyond my bones.

Someday we two will meet

When sun stops and light is all —

Then I will know . . . I will know.