You cast
your shadow
upon the snow.
“Look..! ” I say “...a pterodactyl! ”
“Where...where? ”
I scoop your shadow
from the snow
fold it neatly
& neatly again
before slipping it
surreptitiously up my sleeve.
You leave Sofia
none the wiser
(minus your shadow)
I keep it
in my top drawer
or on my charm bracelet
for luck.
I cast your shadow
here & there
whenever& wherever
I need it.
Back in England
you haven’t even noticed
...it’s gone.
The sun
frisking you
for the shadow
its noon commands.
Here in Sofia
I smile
as your shadow
stitched to my heels
accompanies me to market.
Dónall Dempsey
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stolen-shadows-for-onelia/
