At the fading of the light
a little while ago
I went out for a walk at night
to murder my shadow.
He’d dogged me several weeks or more
promising relief
in his tender hopeless form
and sighs of disbelief.
I found darkness in his arms
A crumbling dismay
Emptiness with all its charms
Held bitterly at bay.
But as the sun caressed the tide
Beneath horizon’s shade
I cut my shadow from my side
with a jagged blade.
And now I hope, when morning comes
The light will shine on me
To warm these bones so still and numb
From distant apathy.
UPDATE: I have recorded a version of this poem spoken aloud. I’ve probably botched it and sound horribly boring – my deepest apologies if I’ve ruined it for you. But because one can only improve with practice, and with criticism, I’ve posted it here for you all to tear at with your fierce little teeth.
The Z-Axis 
I love this Amira. I like the rhythm as well as the words which I believe all good poems should allow the reader to take their own meaning from them. Great job and it’s a shame we didn’t get the audio version but never mind. Was lovely anyway.
Thank you so much, my love. I agree completely about poetry being open for interpretation. It should build a mold into which a reader can imprint his or her experiences, emotions, and dreams. The words are just the framework – the interpretation is where the magic happens.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts 🙂
what isit about?><
It’s about leaving darkness behind you and freeing yourself to live in the light.
what about the last line “from distant apathy”?
Apathy is often something I experience when I’m going through dark spells. So when I say that the light will shine “to warm these bones, so still and numb / from distant apathy” I’m saying that that emotionless distance from the world has numbed me, and I’m ready to be roused from that stillness and back into warmth and energy.
ohh wow thats beautiful.. thankyou so much for caring to explain. im just an amateur poet people like you inspire me:)
Good luck with your poems! I’ll check them out sometime later today when I’m on lunch or off work. It’s lovely to hear that my words have inspired you, and I hope you continue to find inspiration around you 🙂
oh my what an honour but I really dont think my poems is worthy I just write when I want to its really direct not much of symbols etc etc stuff I learn in literature class…I only just started a blog for my poems and I hope one day I can write something like that..like a bigger issue or message. anyway thank you. Really:))
The last line, in my opinion, is the lasting effect of having lived in cold shadows. Paired with the line before, the narrator offers hope for warmth that will ease that internal chill.
Aye, Jess, that’s almost exactly the effect I was going for. Thank you 🙂
Beautiful! And the picture is stunning, too! Nice job!
Ha, well, the picture I stole from teh internets. But the words are all mine. I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂