Where shadows breathe

Light in all its forms and glory leaves traces,imprints of its rendition of people, places, things, creatures big and small, flowers-blooming & wilting. Never distinguishing between the old & new, reflecting a timeless version of shades. Shades of black & grey. Timeless. Imprints of lives lived. Let's be shadows. Unfiltered, undeterred versions of our true selves. With no prior dues or judgement. With barely any weight on our shoulders. Bloom, not end at wilting. For another day, another year, another minute.

This idea started with a supposed artistic view of a shadow which snaked its way to me. A shadow of flowers in a glass vase. While the flowers are red and pleasant, their shadows seemed bolder,resolute. The stems extend beyond their real length, the petals large, the leaves delicately thinning, everything was unassumingly amplified. Perhaps, that's the plant's real self. Not sitting in a vase trying to look appealing to yet another person seeking refuge in a coffee shop from the harsh cold.

I think the shadows were so long because they were aching to peek out of the arched window. At it's sisters, thriving in the wilderness, in the cold wind and snow. Feeling the elements, being one with nature.

At times I (maybe we) feel like the plucked out plants, forced into a vase. Be there to comfort people,be nice, be pretty, be whatever is expected. Sure, you can live, but only on water. The soil has been stolen. The nurturing ceases. But, please thrive. Survive. Live. Bloom. Grow.

No. I (we) can't. Not without being exposed to elements we must be in! Not without art. Not without music. Not without books and poetry. Not without trial. Not without breathing. Not without doing nothing for a while. Not without love, family, dogs, and a kind cat. Not without laughter that is unbridled. Not without hugs that are warm and welcoming. Not without steaming cups of tea (Oh ALRIGHT & coffee). Not without dance and drama, the snow and the sun. Not without science and tech. Not without another stranger, sitting next to us, living this life, trudging through, existing, breathing and dreaming.

Not without our own selves.