Shadow Hugs

I wheel around, stare my shadow full in the face.

I drag you around with me, I yell at it,
And yet I don’t know who you are.

I am an artist, it replies,
As it lifts its camera to take a picture of me.
You do not acknowledge me, but I will never leave you.

What do you want, I question it again.
What everyone wants, it says.
Love, acceptance, integration.

Then will you go away, I cry.
No, it tells me.
The more love you give me, the more love others will give you.

As I watch, it grows larger.
I am scared,
until I realise that it has merged with another.

Then he puts his arms around me too.
We hold each other, smile at the camera,
And take a picture of all of us together.