AJMER RODE

 

 

That Eerie Shadow

 

Once I spilled a gallon

of milk behind me

and quickly stepped ahead.

The strange shadow I hoped

to soak in white was still

there, stuck with me.

I threw away my clothes

and walked naked,

the shadow still trailed me

slow and fast.

 

I hurried through the bush,

bruised myself all over

in vain

to tear the shadow off.

 

I watched a snake shed

his skin. I rolled over the

rocks and glass shards but the

snake laughed: it wouldn't help.

 

I ran to a cliff and

baked in the sun all day

to burn my skin. Finally

I could smell the burning

shadow behind me.

 

Free at last,

just me with myself,

I slowly descended the

cliff and wandered back to

the town. As soon as I hit

the street I knew who

was behind.