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 to be known.
Behind the bars
On the other side the street.
Beyond my bones
Strangers we two will meet
Never again to be alone
When sun stops and light is all —
Then I will know . . . I will know.
Corn Crib 