Shadow Warrior
He sits alone at his desk,
The floor lamp bright against the north wall
And throwing shadows everywhere else.
Dauntless he works, tallying figures
And monthly gross.
His own shadow long upon the floor,
His children asleep with notes from him on the
Kitchen table; mow the lawn, help your mom.
He will be out early checking in with the home office,
Making phone calls, checking lists and preparing
For evening client calls.
Driven to make the dollar? Yes perhaps or driven to
Fight the battle. The battle of dismay for any other
Thirteen-year-old boy.
Fight the battle of where there might be the
Next peaceful moment.
When will the rent come due, and at
Thirteen where will that money
Materialize?
Like the shadow across the floor, a silent presence,
A warrior against what we all know but ignore
Death comes to us all, it certainly comes to us all.
Sandra K Woodiwiss 2012