Like a monster behind a smile or a devil in a daydream,
Like a job that seems worthwhile but is just a boulder in your stream,
Like the sweet gesture of a friend whose agenda comes out to play,
Or the secret broken hearts of men, whose songs stay hidden from the day.
I find you in the quiet word someone uttered against my name,
I find you in the brazen herd, who are so generous with blame,
I find you when the clock dictates my precious moments here,
And you are there in the silent hate, dilating in the eyes of fear.
I met you as a child when I was denied comfort's cloak,
I met you in the loneliness of which a tired old man spoke,
I met you in the hunger and the whip of colder winters,
You meet me again when I face the hurt and try to remove the splinters.
You knew me when I stabbed a heart with the venom of my words,
You knew me when I clipped the wings of all those kindness birds,
You knew me in the times I frowned when loving words were spoken,
How well you know me now in this reflection that is broken.
But your shadow waits behind you, ever whispering wisest of words,
Your shadow, who knows more than you, can even lure out the bluebirds,
Your shadow carries power and pain and is as unkind as youth,
Your shadow is morality's vein, your shadow is the truth.
