Balancing Shadows

Upon the floor: little traces of you passing through the light. Golden galaxy of dust mixing in peaceful air.

Shadows are symbolic of death, says your english teacher. You think of time moving in streaks of darkness as it mimics your figure through the years.

Shadows are how we know that we are living through days, you think.

Sun draws lines on your bedroom walls. Brown wooden floors wonder at you dancing, swaying, holding her in the last dusty rays.

Her shadow embracing yours: Venn diagram of darkness showing all of the light that you have.

— Jade Wilson, Kaiapoi High School