Shadow
There was a man
playing a violin.
The tune was strong
and soothing.
He played for his lady
who stood in the wood
in front him.
The enchanted beauty
stood and listened,
complimenting and singing
to the tune.
The man loved her.
And she loved him.
As they made beautiful music,
the strings on
the man's violin broke.
"Do not cease, my lady!"
He called to the silent woods,
"We shall continue.
I shall play from my heart!"
and with his knife
he replaced the strings
with strings from his heart.
The music they made
Was even more glorious.
Angels wept.
But the man
Was bleeding terribly.
They played from
Sunset to
Moonrise.
But with each
second that waned on,
the man grew weaker
and soon fell
to his knees.
But he continued
to play
more strongly
than before.
His love continued
to sing.
He fell on
his back, playing
for his dearest,
his bow humming
in his blood.
He cried to the woods
that was now
softening from her singing
"I shall die for you!
Take my love!
Take my life!
It is for you, Forever!"
His love stopped singing.
He peered through
the trees, searching
for her.
At the sight
of her sweet
face, he felt strength again.
She smiled to the man
her love as pure
as the clear sky.
As the man
gazed at the lady,
he smiled.
A creature moved
from beside
the man's dearest.
The man cried
for his love to run
but not a budge
she made.
The wolf-like beast neared
the fair lady.
The man struggled
to regain his strength.
The sky darkened
and storm clouds arose.
Rain pelted
the man
and churned his lying blood.
The man screamed
to his love,
and she ran to him.
Nearing the edge
of the woods
the monster pounced
through his lady.
She fell
so softly
so gently
so gracefully
to the ground
where she lay
dead.
The man cried
for his beloved to get up,
but not a budge
she made.
He faced the beast
but it was merely a
SHADOW.
The man cared not
for dying anymore.
But he did not die.
He felt
the pain
the suffering
the emptiness
The man
played the violin
with the strings
from his heart.
But his heart died,
with her.
He felt nothing but
the pain
the suffering
the emptiness
"There is a man
Playing a violin
And the strings
Are the nerves in his own [heart"
J. O'Barr
The Crow
