Poem - Ageing shadows

             Ageing shadows

While walking in the recent summer heat

With the sun at the back, almost at my feet

My shadow distinctly walked ahead of me

Appearing just as I'm sure I must have been

Footloose and free when aged 23.

I was delighted to see the years so fast receding

Time itself in my favour speeding

        Back to my salad days.

A bend in the road brought shadow to my side

Cackling he said cannot be denied

That your girth makes you a definite 42.

For a while we talked in the shade of a tree

And my shadow that was me, I could not see,

But back in the sunlight he gave a cheerful smile

What sounded like a tease he said in fun;

“Now with the extraordinary  ‘tum;

And a rather large bum I vote you are 63.”

Another twist in the road wrought my shadow

To my left; after harangue I was bereft;

“Look at me, your shadow, you see what I mean,

You beard and drooping back, bald head and all.

You've passed your best, you’re over the wall.

You are 83,” his voice was terribly loud

As he vanished beneath the black cloud.

by Hillie Feldman  10th May 1999