There goes my shadow
The one I may not be
The homeless
The rentless
Fixed
at no address
Owing nothing
to anyone
Not mattering
to anyone
Some days
it’s freedom
Others
misery
It depends
on the weather
of the city
and the body
Go away, shadow.
I don’t need your songs.
There sits my shadow
The one I must not be
The haggard tramp in ancient black
The smoke-mouthed
The wine-tongued
The gland-
scented
The vagrant-
soled
Let me be, shadow.
I’m only a student! Stop begging.
There lies my shadow
The one I cannot be
Flopping
on a bunk
Spreading out
its stale stuff
Its socks
Its sacks
Its dark
books
Online all night
Asleep all day
Go home, shadow.
You can’t share my room.
Here comes my shadow
The one
I will not be
Pulling
the door wide
Admitting
the cold
Casting around
its umbral eyes
Is there a pub around here
it slurs
C’mere, shadow!
Come here.
If you dare.