The Shadow
I wrote this a few years ago, and have never shared it, but now I have a willing (or not so willing) audience, I decided to share it.
The Shadow belongs to the following groups:
All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Melbourne & Victoria and New Zealand MadeThe dark shadow creeps slowly
Across the wooden floor
Slower and slower it gets as
it heads towards the door.
Clothed in a cape flowing
Down to the dusty ground,
The shadow increases its speed
With a vibrancy just found.
It finally reaches the door
And it opens with a creak.
The dark shadow lights up
By the storm’s lightening streak.
The darkness of the night,
Envelops the shadow’s body.
It walks towards the field
now only seen faintly.
The outline can be seen,
but by straining the eye.
Coming upon the broken fence
and climbing over the style.
The shadow starts to float
feet not touching the ground.
Slowly and silently waiting,
waiting for the birth.
The animals wait silently
Waiting with the shadow
Wondering amongst themselves
whether its friend or foe.
Speaking amongst themselves
Of a language all their own
Fearfully watching the shadow,
Invading their comfy home.
The mother awakes with a moan
Getting ready for the child.
The baby soon arrives,
but does not dare to cry.
Death dawns on the shadow
A feeling of despair arises
Not knowing what the reason
But it’s guess soon devises.
Slowly the shadow creeps
Away from the faring death
Slowly moving the way he came
Not thinking, but knowing best.
Quietly he floats back to
Where he came hence from,
The door it creaks as it opens.
Slowly the shadow sits down
beating down on the table hard.
Knowing what has been witnessed
Crying for the baby lost
Thought it’s mother had confessed.
The baby, the mother as one
now not to be together.
Bringing life to the land,
The shadow now known
- the Shepherd.
Craig Shillington
Wow Jodi!! That is really good!!! What a diligent Shepherd!!! Was that a sheep????
Jodi Webb
Thanks for that Craig. I really appreciate your comment, it being my first poem ever released to a public audience! I’m not sure what I was picturing what the animal was when I wrote it. I think I had more of a cow in mind, but the shepherd seemed to have a more powerful imagery than farmer to it, so by the time it was finished, it had become a sheep.
Craig Shillington
Awwww :) It’s very well writen IMO Jodi :) I really like it!! Most of my poems are shorter … I can’t seem to do these longer ones well … but you did!!!!
Paul Louis Vil...
Well done Jodi! Keep them coming!
Charlotte Morison
Great stuff Jodes, you are a little treasure box, filled with shiny things like your poem that I didn’t realise were there!
Your poem is really beautiful, I hope you decide to share some more!
Craig Shillington
Grrrrrrr ;) And you just said what you did on my poem!!!! What are you thinking girl!!!!
Jodi Webb replied
Aw shucks. Thanks Craig! it was my first ever long poem, written absolutely years ago. I have written like that for such a long time, I despair that I could still do it!
Craig Shillington replied
I feel the same Jodi …. Thus my latest and the post to see what people felt so far :) :) It’s in us :) It won’t just go away Jodi :) {{{{{hug}}}}}