Shadow Of Your Love
I have spent a year in here, looking out at your light. Able to see you, feel you, but never touch you, never really know you. I have lived in darkness for much longer than that, and when I first saw your gateway ahead of me, the light burned my eyes. It was a radiant light from heaven’s gate, the light of my angel, a light that at once filled my heart with hope and fear.
For the light had burned me before, the light of others. Though I dared to hope this light was different, though I longed to throw all caution to the wind, I still hesitated, unsure. I remained inside, looking at the shadows that your light cast upon the wall, learning to trust them, growing to need them, falling for the shadow of your love.
Slowly, over the year, my eyes adjusted to the light, until it warmed my face, my heart. I bathed in the purity of its radiance, and let it fill my soul.
A year has passed and now shadows and light are no longer enough. Now the time has come for me to take that first step out of the darkness and fully embrace your light.
I stand at the threshold, knowing that with one step I leave my past behind and begin my future with you.
I am coming my love, wait for me, and bathe me in your angel light.
Rivka Jacobs
Very moving and evocative piece, Ian. The use of Plato’s cave metaphor as a commentary on emotional reactions — pain, withdrawal, and rebirth. Like some of the other EW short pieces in the last two weeks, you’ve taken an idea and used it in a new way.
Also, very personal for you, once again. But it speaks (as all good writing about love) to anyone who has been, or is in, your situation.
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