365 Days- Book I

28. Shadow

July 28, 2018

"Imagine you are someone's shadow for a day. "

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Dear whoever-it-is that-chanced-on-this-tripe,

How are you? Hope you are fine and if you are Nyna's writer friends, I hope your works are coming along fine. If you are her readers, then I welcome you to this peculiar piece.

Oh, I see you are confused and my sincere apologies for confusing you, I am NynSkia, her shadow. You see, her topic for today was to write about being a shadow to somebody for a day and she simply could not think up anything to write. So I stepped in, after all, she only had to imagine being one, whereas, I am one. So, without further ado, let us start.

How does it feel to be a shadow, nothing tangible (pun unintended), though it hurts to be dismissed so lightly (again no play on the words). Why do people disparage me and have negative opinions about me? Ever heard the saying, in the darkest times even your shadow leaves you? It is not true, we do not leave you, we never can, it is just that you are unable to see us, for that matter what can you see in pitch darkness? Nothing. Then why blame us for your inability? On the other hand, if you cannot see us in darkness, then is the corollary also not true, where there is light, there are shadows, so are we not the heralds of light?

It does not work that way it appears, for the misconceptions continue; shadows without substance; old sins casting shadows; frightened of one's own shadow; there seems to be no end of such idioms.

I would also like to point out that you cannot see me in bright light, if it is focused right over you; I shrink to beneath your feet, a pale version of my dark self. But, you have no complaints then, no issues with the shadows disappearing; for at that point, you are in the limelight; you want to be alone so that you do not have to share the fame with anyone.

Anyway, enough of my complaints, let us get to the point, (which considering who I am, is not easy). As a shadow, I am a constant companion, spreading myself, all around you, depending on where you stand in the light. I change shapes, I can become tall and thin or short and fat or even float on the wall as you walk by. I can split into many or shrink to your feet. It does not matter whether you can see me or not, I am always there with you.

I move with you and without you, I sway when you sit still and shimmy when you dance. I am there in your happiest moments and your saddest hours. I know your darkest fears and your deepest secrets, but you need not worry, they are safe with me, I never desert you, even if your life does. As long as you have substance you would have me, the shadow. Finally do remember, you never have to fear me, the darker I am, the brighter the light around you.

Signing off,

NynSkia

PS - that is how all of us are known, the word 'Skia' (Greek for shadow) suffixed to a part of your name.

PPS - Nyna is not too sure of this shadowy work, but she will post it for sure. It is definitely better that what she could ever write and I do not mind, for whether written by her or me, it is the same, we are inseparable.

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Word count - 580