Shadow part 1/2

From out of the darkness
these figures come into sight
whether a figure of your imagination
or a parasite.

It starts when you enter this world
at least that's what I believe
because within the womb
no shadows can be seen.

From the womb, we come into the light
the exhaustion and pleasure of the group's plight
it is in that instant of gentle relief
that the child feels the coldness and finds bitter belief.

The child looks around and opens its eyes
sees something moving yet cannot recognize
in a glimmer of clarity it is the edge of a knife
the sound of crying brings the shadow to life.

The shadow comes on and lingers next to the child
in its bad learning to mimic in a pace that is mild
with other babies around their shadows content
with their place in the world and the time to be spent.

The child grows up with the shadow following it
through every hardship and pain the shadow remains unbent
to stay and bring the broken pieces together to mend them as a whole
for without a shadow some claim one does not have a soul.

There are reasons we cannot see in the dark
our shadows guide us in where to embark
in the places to venture and where to go
by the way who is controlling this show.

Is it, you or the shadow that guides your way
that fellow beside you has nothing to say
yes it is content to keep its pace
for it knows there is an end to this race?

and at that end what of the shadow you see
for that is simple and a bit playfully
as your life comes to an end
the shadow lingers on a steadfast friend.

As an insult to a shadow who has been by our side,
we are placed in a padded box then closed up with might
or brought into flames or other by means
the shadow is ripped and comes free of the bodies' seems.

The shadow looks around but cannot see
for without a person like you and me
the shadow is left to wander aimlessly
into the darkness for no one to see.

This happy shadow who has guided and lead
hears a mother pleading for someone to mend
and in an instant, there is a sudden cry
the shadow finds another to be by its side.