fun with shadows.

I consider it a sign of luck when suddenly the shadow of a flying bird soars above my own, sketched out perfectly on a canvas of pavement. I pause as suddenly the bird comes into view above my head and smile as it floats on with little effort but much grace. Sometimes my mind will wander as I press on, imagining the shadow of that bird flying down to pick my shadow up by its shoulders and zoom onward. On to more pebbled streets and sidewalks, but also into the comfort of soft grass and perhaps an intermission under the shadow of a humble willow. Barely a breath is uttered and the only "words" that are uttered come from the sighing leaves of the willow in the wind, but the bird's shadow is feeling adventurous again. My shadow experiences stretching across long suburban fences and flies into the city, climbing buildings in a matter of seconds. I remain walking, bathed in warm sunshine but look down to no companion at my feet until the bird's shadow returns. It chucks mine free and in an instant I feel the collision, laughing like a kid as I jump up and down and my shadow mimics. I don't frown when the sun recedes because I don't think of my shadow as gone, but maybe hiding...or flying.

Smile.