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Shadow
by: Bonnie Rock

Feeling like a shadow...

There is no greater love than that of this night
Or that of the warmth of the day
But where have all the shadows gone?
I know a shadow by name but it is in pain.
Created by a need to be flat, and wither away
Trapped by the belief that it won�t matter
But lingering by a need to stand in the light
And hoping that it can save itself.

How does one exist in both worlds ... that of light and dark
Truth and lies, happiness and sadness?
It is impossible, yet survival is a must.
For even in the shadows there is love.

Twisting and turning in the dead of night
No one can see as the pain fits tight
No one can hear the shadow�s groan
Lying on the floor, unseen, it moans
No one understand that this shadow dreams
Dreaming of a life in the sun

Only to wake to a life with no one

no one to listen,
no one to care,
no one to love,
no one to hear,
no one to hold,
no one to see
no one to fear,

It doesn�t have to be like this...this shadow is loved
But cant see as some try to kiss it good night.
The irony becomes painful and sad
That as a shadow you have no friends
But this shadow has built its own world
Voices are silent and empty
No depth, no mass, no weight
But that�s it...this shadow seeks weightlessness.
Now with only that in hand can this shadow ever be happy?

No!

I challenge this shadow to step into the light and not fear what it does not know.
For when the shadow can take that step ...it will be a shadow no more.
Bathed in warmth and light like it has never felt, it will feel for the first time
For the first time, be seen. be healthy and whole, have depth, and mass
Know that feelings go both ways.
You can love yes...but also be loved
It can feel friendship, pride,
laughter (real laughter from down inside)
yes it will still feel pain but at least now someone can love it too and help it through.

Step out of the shadows and be proud, you do matter!
...and feeling like a shadow sucks

©2001 Bonnie Rock. Reprinted with Permission.

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