Shadow Hunting
I began this poem in July 2016. I've left it alone for a while because I'm having a hard time getting it to where I want it to be - I feel like I need to remove the crust. Maybe posting it will help.
___________
Shadow Hunting
The Man Facing East
Walks and walks, stalking his
Dim silhouette through the morning;
For a moment, he is able to convince himself
That he is gaining.
Come midday, this Eastern-oriented Fellow
Exhales deeply: finally, he has
Chased his tormenter down
Now,
If history is our teacher,
The shadow chases him.
For the Westerly Gentleman
Things are not quite the same.
For, being an early riser,
He awakens to a hunt.
Unlike his comrade, though, it is this Man
Who is hunted.
He is chased,
He is followed,
Everywhere he turns.
Morning goes on
And his pursuant gains,
Slipping ever closer to the inevitable
Noon fate
And then, like the Easterly Man, able at last to
Catch his prey,
Our Western Man is
Dead in the water.
Cycles renew,
And just as fate turned for our first friend for the worse,
This Westerly Man sees brightened fate in the afternoon sun
As he slowly closes.
We are hunting, or we are hunted.
And must always look
In front
And behind.
___________
Shadow Hunting
The Man Facing East
Walks and walks, stalking his
Dim silhouette through the morning;
For a moment, he is able to convince himself
That he is gaining.
Come midday, this Eastern-oriented Fellow
Exhales deeply: finally, he has
Chased his tormenter down
Now,
If history is our teacher,
The shadow chases him.
For the Westerly Gentleman
Things are not quite the same.
For, being an early riser,
He awakens to a hunt.
Unlike his comrade, though, it is this Man
Who is hunted.
He is chased,
He is followed,
Everywhere he turns.
Morning goes on
And his pursuant gains,
Slipping ever closer to the inevitable
Noon fate
And then, like the Easterly Man, able at last to
Catch his prey,
Our Western Man is
Dead in the water.
Cycles renew,
And just as fate turned for our first friend for the worse,
This Westerly Man sees brightened fate in the afternoon sun
As he slowly closes.
We are hunting, or we are hunted.
And must always look
In front
And behind.