<p>Fear like shadows cast on sunny days cloud my outlook &#8211; shifting my attention from warm rays to cold pavement.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>My shadow distorts my image, stretching the truth until it becomes my only reality.</p>
<p>Turning my beauty into an illusory outline void of colour and detail.</p>
<p>It walks proud as it is tethered around my feet like chains.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“I own you.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>“Where you go I go.”</p>
<p>It muscles its way in crushing my self-esteem.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p>With my back turned towards the sun, the visible shadow becomes my visible self.</p>
<p>But somewhere deep within, I know this can’t be me.</p>
<p>For as long as I believe my shadow&#8217;s lies, I am at its mercy.</p>
<p>Aware of its hold on me, I unlock eyes with my shadow and turn towards the sun.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>Unable to see my shadow, I think I’ve lost myself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p> ;</p>
<p>The blinding beams reveal a new and an unrecognizable self.</p>
<p>An image invisible to my naked-eyes but as real as the sun itself.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>An image not seen in a shadow or reflection in the mirror.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>An image spoken softly in words &#8211; “You are beloved.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p>I am at home in myself for the first time.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1795" src="https://thesoulwhispersblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/img_1707.jpeg" alt="IMG_1707" width="733" height="527" /></p>

A Shadow of Myself
