My Shadow Walks Beside Me ~ Poetry From a Word Prompt

John is a poet and short fiction writer who enjoys collaborating on stories with other writers, and partaking in challenges.

Inspiration and Weekly Word Prompt 22: Shadows

The poem: My Shadow Walks Beside Me was written in response to the word prompt "Shadows" from: "Word Prompts Help Creativity ~Week 22" by Brenda Arledge.

Once again Brenda has provided us with a wonderful prompt, and as usual, I had to write a response. The best part of these challenges by Brenda is reading all the other wonderful poetry, short stories etc that the words inspire.

I also included a story I wrote for a children's book, and a link to another article I wrote for Halloween. Both have "shadows" as a theme.

by Doe Zantamata

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My Shadow Walks Beside Me

My shadow walks beside me,

He is my closest friend.

Together in sunshine and light,

Our connection never ends.

My shadow rests when I’m asleep,

When I turn out the lights.

But, it’s there to greet me when I wake,

And the dark has passed with night.

Some people fear the shadows,

Thinking evil lurks within,

But I embrace my grey-scale friend

And the confidence he brings.

Even when I face the Sun

And my shadow falls behind,

It shows I am worth following,

And boosts my state of mind.

It takes both light and shadow

To perform the dance of love.

One compliments the other

Like a hand placed in a glove.

So, don’t avoid the shadows,

They won’t cause you to fall.

Your shadow won’t be crooked

If you walk straight and tall.

The Shadow Wolf ~ a Patrick the Piglet Story

All the farmyard was excited

For tonight was Halloween.

Most animals don’t celebrate,

So this was a rare scene.

Patrick the Piglet loved costumes,

And especially Halloween.

He’ll dress up as a ghost and hide,

And shout, “BOO!” when he’s seen.

Most are frightened of the dark

And things they cannot see,

But Patrick fears the shadows,

And echoes make him pee.

For in the shadows lurks a fiend

Not like you’ve seen before.

He’ll strike when least expected,

You’ll not know what’s in store.

When Patrick heard the stories,

From his friend Cammy the calf,

About a scary Shadow Wolf,

He gave a nervous laugh.

Shadow Wolf has an eerie voice

A little like a howl.

He echoes sounds of those he stalks,

And would even scare the owl.

In fact, the dark keeps him at bay,

It’s the light that gives him life,

For he exists in shadows

And he wields a butcher’s knife.

Animals gathered in the barn,

All dressed up for the night,

And many shadows could be seen

For the barn’s light was so bright.

Patrick tried to face the light,

It was never at his back,

So the monster couldn’t seize him

And stuff him in his sack.

The barn was also very big

And perfect for echoes.

This made poor Patrick nervous,

But he had nowhere else to go.

Patrick counted everyone,

They numbered thirty-three.

But Cammy calf wasn’t there,

At least, not that he could see.

Patrick hid behind some hay,

Then jumped out and yelled, “BOO!”

A pair of ducks got a scare

And flew around the room.

A shadow suddenly appeared

Upon the barn’s wide floor.

It looked like a giant wolf with fangs-

All the creatures stared in awe.

Patrick trembled, terrified,

And said, “The Shadow Wolf is here!”

Then came the echo, “BOO, BOO, BOO!”

And most animals fled in fear.

But when the piglet turned to run

He saw in the light’s bright glow,

Cammy calf standing in the loft

Waving to and fro.

The Shadow Wolf was just a myth.

Cammy calf had made it up

To scare Patrick and his other friends,

Even Bruce the sheepdog pup.

So, Patrick was no longer scared

Of shadows or echoes.

He’d make Cammy calf sorry

She put on such a show.

Patrick climbed up to the loft,

Behind where Cammy stood,

Then suddenly he shouted, “BOO!”

As loudly as he could.

Cammy jumped up in the air,

And let out a frightened, “MOOOOO!”

Patrick laughed, “You’re a sneaky calf.

You deserved a good scare too.”

Another Poem Related to Shadows

Below is a link to another poem that I wrote previously for Halloween. and was also inspired by the subject "shadows."

• "Shadowheart" (a Halloween Poem) and some Halloween ...
  This article includes an original poem I wrote about Halloween as well as some Halloween history and some information about how the holiday is celebrated in Australia.

© 2021 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 30, 2021:

Hi Shauna, It is fortunate that you were able to catch this in your feed eventually and therefore able to comment. I always welcome your opinions and comments. Have a great day.

Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on July 30, 2021:

John, I read this days ago but it's just now showing up in my feed. I love both poems. The first reminds us to not be afraid of our own shadow, so to speak, but to embrace it. Many positive messages in that one.

The second poem tells a delightful story in poetic form. You're the master of poetic storytelling, John. Your talent never ceases to amaze me.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 29, 2021:

Thank you for reading, Nithya. Patrick the Piglet thanks you too.

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on July 29, 2021:

I enjoyed reading your poems. I loved The Shadow Wolf ~ a Patrick the Piglet Story! Excellent poems, as always.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 29, 2021:

Hi Mark, well I hope those are good shadows inn your dreams, not the scary ones. Thank you or reading.

Mark Tulin from Palm Springs, California on July 29, 2021:

Now I’ll have shadows in my dream. Great shadow journey, John.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 29, 2021:

Hi Lora, thank you for the kind comments, especially about the Shadow Wolf poem. Have a great day.

Lora Hollings on July 29, 2021:

John, I love your shadow poem and your story about the shadow wolf. What a wonderful story for children! I'm sure that all children would love reading or listening to it especially on Halloween. I really liked you Halloween poem too, although it maybe a bit too scary for younger children. I enjoyed reading about the history of Halloween and how it's celebrated in Australia. Awesome job with this prompt!

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 27, 2021:

Mary, hello. I love that reading my poetry makes you feel light and happy. What more could I ask for?

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on July 27, 2021:

Another enjoyable poetry. Reading your poems make me feel light and happy. Thank you.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 27, 2021:

Thank you for reading these poems, EK. I hope you are enjoying Eid. Take care.

EK Jadoon from Abbottabad Pakistan on July 27, 2021:

Hi Jodah,

Sorry for being late. I was just busy in Eid festival. You have created a detailed poem in response to the word 'shadow'. You have portrayed meaning of the shadow from both sides. That was amaizing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Stay safe and healthy...

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on July 27, 2021:

John

I just posted the new word prompt

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Thank you for going back through this Brenda. Glad you enjoyed it, and take your time with your next word prompt.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on July 26, 2021:

John

I've had time to go back through your work & I'm so glad I did.

I really enjoyed your children's story & the link to Shadowheart.

If I ever get this new word prompt article finished, you will see my new comments on your work.

Great job.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

It is all good Brenda. Cheers.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on July 26, 2021:

John,

You're welcome.

We definitely do fear that other side of shadows.

Sorry I didn't review your piece like I usually do...I'm kinda pressed for time, but I enjoyed those two on Halloween also.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Hello Brenda. I am glad you enjoyed these poems. I tried to address both sides of how shadows are viewed … something close to us to embrace and give us confidence, or alternatively something dark and mysterious to be feared.

This was a wonderful prompt, so thank you for the inspiration.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Hello Vidya, I am so glad you enjoyed these and I hope your granddaughter also enjoys the Patrick the Piglet story. Thank you.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Aww thank you Linda. I was wracking my brain to think of a new way to describe my shadow and suddenly I had a light-bulb moment..”grey-scale friend” came to me. I always appreciate you reading and enjoying.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on July 26, 2021:

John

I love your photo with the saying about how everyone from your past lives as a shadow in your mind.

I like your poem, "My Shadow Walks Beside Me."

It shows us how a shadow can be our closest friend.

Even if he disappears at night he's right there to greet us again in the morning light.

It tells us to embrace our shadow.

To be confident knowing we are worthy.

No matter what your shadow fits like a glove with you, so he will never make you fall.

Live life. Be confident. Walk straight & tall letting your shadow walk with you.

"The Shadow Wolf ~ a Patrick the Piglet Story" reminded me of when I was a child and we'd sit around listening to someone tell a spooky story on Halloween.

It was a cute one. I loved how Patrick the one who was the most scared... scared Clammy the calf at the end.

In your link to "Shadowheart" by John Hansen we find a wonderful poem about those shadows on Halloween.

I like how it tells us we can avoid the shadows by doing everything at night.

If we stay in the darkness with no light.

Great job.

My favorite is the first one with the message to be confident, but no one can resist a good scary story.

I will post a link in the word prompt article.

VIDYA D SAGAR on July 26, 2021:

Excellent poems John. The shadow wolf is so

much fun to read. I got a good story to tell my little granddaughter. She loves animals and animal stories. The Halloween poem is a great read too. Thanks for sharing.

Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on July 26, 2021:

Oh John, you never cease to amaze me. What an interesting perspective on shadows -- 'my gray-scale friend.' I have enjoyed all of the articles written in response to Brenda's prompt, but I think yours is my favorite.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

You are too kind Peggy. I couldn’t stop writing poems, it’s too much fun. I am just glad you enjoy reading them. Have a great week.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

I am glad those lines had an impact on you Bill, and that your shadow gives you confidence if you need it. You have a good day too.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Thank you for reading these poems, Chitrangada. “Shadows” was an interesting subject to inspire the muse.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Thank you for reading and commenting, Umesh. Much appreciated.

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on July 26, 2021:

You never fail to amaze me with your creative poetry. I enjoyed each of these poems and the messages, both serious and cute. Keep sharing them with us. They are always a delight to read.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on July 26, 2021:

"But I embrace my grey-scale friend

And the confidence he brings."

I love those two lines....I will think of that, now, every single time I see my shadow...be confident, Bill! Well done, my friend, and Happy Monday to you.

Umesh Chandra Bhatt from Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India on July 26, 2021:

Very nice. Thanks.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Thank you for your kind words, Bro. I appreciate your insights, and I was happy with the first one as well. I wanted to concentrate on the positive side of shadows in that one.

manatita44 from london on July 26, 2021:

Lovely piece! You stuck to 'shadow' in your first piece better than me. It's funny how we humans connect it with the dark. Mystics use that word a lot, with an 's' sometimes, to relate to our darker impulses, our inner secrets of life. The things we hide in closets of the heart. Ha-ha.

All said and done, your poems are excellent! I prefer the first one. Shorter yes, but a tad more lyrical too. Peace.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

I am happy you enjoyed The Shadow Wolf poem, Flourish. No dinner table ending for these barnyard animals I am proud to say.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Thank you so much, Pamela. "Shadows" was a very interesting topic.

FlourishAnyway from USA on July 26, 2021:

The barnyard poem is adorable. I like the characters and their interactions and can almost see them before me. I thought it was going in a different direction (the dinner table, those poor barnyard animals). Very cute poem.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on July 26, 2021:

All of your poems are wonderful, as always, John This is a very good response to Brenda's prompt.

I enjoyed "Shadowheart" and both of these poems. "MY Shadow Walks Beside Me" is my favorite.

I very much enjoyed reading your poems.

John Hansen (author) from Gondwana Land on July 26, 2021:

Hi Rosina. I always appreciate your comments and I am especially pleased that you enjoyed these poems, especially "The Shadow Wolf." Have a great week.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on July 26, 2021:

Wonderful response to the word prompt, shadows.

I especially liked your first poem, My shadow walks beside me. Such true expressions about our own shadow.

The children story is interesting too, and I am sure the kids would love the reference to the Halloween.

Your creativity shines through your beautifully composed poems.

Thank you for sharing.

Rosina S Khan on July 26, 2021:

Your poetry is stunning, John. The poem, "My Shadow Walks Beside Me" was interesting enough but the next one, "The Shadow Wolf ~ a Patrick the Piglet Story" took my breath away, which was truly upbeat. Thank you for catering to me a beautiful afternoon as I really relished your poems.