In The Long Shadows Poem by Julie Dant

In the long shadows of my life, as yet another
day spent itself, settling softly down for it’s
impending nocturnal rest, I was in contemplation
of my journey…my sojourn…my never ending
quest to discover the significance of SELF.

All this inward reflection derived from the
realization of the importance…. the absolute and
burning need to share the rest of my life with you.
And so, desperately, I began to search far within,
peering deeply…… into the fathoms of my soul.

I realized I must put my shoulder to the old
barriers which I, built, stone by stone, when
I was young. Having the energy of youth
I mortared those stones so tightly together
the wall became virtually impregnable.

I, as I grew older, thinking that necessary
strength was forever beyond my grasp, had
never thought to test the wall’s strength. I had
not the energy nor the need until now…until
I met you, in the long shadows of my life.

Thus, with determined resolve, I set my
shoulder against the sharp and cutting
stones of the self-imposed retaining wall and
prepared myself to confront unyielding resistance.
Mustering up a great and colossal heave,

I found myself plummeting, incredulous
and shocked, headlong into an abyss
so sweet and welcoming that I realized
I would be soon standing face to face
with my forever singing spirit at long last.

The wonder of it! I was gazing with rapt
fascination into the mirror of my soul.
The instant familiarity was complete and
heady as I embraced all that I was seeing,
feeling, hearing and experiencing.

With a sense of power and excitement and
sheer exhilaration, I closed my eyes, tilted my
head back, held wide my open arms, as I came to
the conclusion that my long, lonely and
arduous journey was at last done.

Weeping, now, with pure and unadulterated
joy, my eyes opened and I found that those old
familiar long shadows had been chased away
by a fanning of glorious, golden rays of light,
heralding the dawning of my brand new life
with you…….with you…….with you.