i learn a little from a shadow in an alley

i learn a little from a shadow in an alley
each day sort of
glorifies
the previous
life is always ascending
that's what is necessary about it

sometimes the darkness comes where we least expect it
sometimes the light shines from behind us
nothing is predictable

the future is a priceless study on chiaroscuro

moving through each chapter i take deep breaths
i hold on to what i know
and what i've known
perfectly aware that it will never be the same

something is ending
something else is beginning

it's simple

like a dog chasing a car

what i read in a sign may read differently to another
i am the only me

i will follow the light and the shadow
i will do my best to interpret the signs
i will spread light
i will cast shadow


in fifteen years i will reflect on something that happened five years from now
things will change
life is always ascending
that's what is necessary about it

at this moment i see birds in the grass
they are plain and they move fast and they are singing
i believe that's what it's called
maybe someday i will call it something else
but for now

the birds are singing

Photo by Amanda Grupp.  Words by Dustin Whitehead.