Under the Occasional Street Lamp

It was late one night, and I was walking home.

The sun had gone down quite a while ago. I walked on in darkness.

except for the occasional street lamp.

After a bit of walking, I began to feel a presence.

I stopped and looked around only to see a dark figure walking behind me.

he was too far away to make out.

But I felt he was coming for me.

So I walked faster towards my destination

with the occasional street lamp along the way

Lighting my path. Under each street lamp, I would look and see him

Still hot on my trail, following me.

nothing I did could shake his unwavering walk

With each step I sped up, he did the same,

So I began to walk faster,

allowing the occasional street lamp to lead me forward

I became afraid and started running.

With each step his distance started to close in on me

no longer was he far behind.

I felt him reach for me, and grab my shirt

I turned knowing I had to fight

while under that street lamp.

The fight began.

When I punched, he punched. When I kicked, he kicked.

the fight went on forever like this.

It felt like twenty minutes of wrestling, kicking,

And punching. Doing anything hoping to be free.

but I became exhausted under that street lamp,

So I laid there, waiting for whatever was going to happen.

Knowing this man had bested me...but what for

what had I done to him

Was he after money, power, revenge?

I laid in a helpless state

under the glow of that street lamp

When I opened my eyes, no man stood over me

Had he run off?

no, he was still there

As I stood up, the man stood up too

I looked him in the eye

With the street lamp lighting everything but his face

I stared. "Who are you? What was the problem?" I asked.

He stood there, saying nothing because I already knew.

The man was my shadow.

The problem was me.