A Shadow Spirit

Once again, you have ahold of me
Digging your claws into my spirit, you beg to be known
What message do you have?
I have been trying to listen 
But your growing intensity causes me to retreat

You feel like an abandoned child
In the night
Screaming through the darkness
“Find me, find me!”
How can I soothe you, while I search for the path?
Can’t you see I’m in the darkness too?

When I give you time, you gobble it up
And yet you are never full

When I give you space, you explode
Into every corner of my mind
Of my body
Places I never knew where there, you now inhabit

What else can I give to you, that I have not already gave?
My empathy is waning
I am tempted to leave you there, alone

We’ve never met before, have we?
You’re younger than the other shadows
More vulnerable
More terrified
Why is it now that you must be found?
How long have you been crying out in the void?
Or did you just become aware of your existence?

I have so may questions for you
I want to know you
To understand you
To hear what you need, what you love, what you hate

But how long must you hold me in this depressive state?
I’m ready for you

Let me come.

Or is it that you don’t wish to be found?
You want to control without having to step into the light
For being seen is much too scary
Because if I know you
You fear I may cage you

You must trust me when I tell you no cage is being crafted
No dungeon is being drafted
No prison is prepared

There is room for you in our forest! 
There is space to run!
There are even dim, soft caves to rest in!
I wouldn’t have it any other way

The only agreement I ask of you
If you are to be welcomed into this valley
Is to balance yourself with the rest of its creatures

It will take time, of course
There are some creatures who have isolated themselves for a while
And even some who have fought the valley’s peace
If you must do that to feel safe, then do what you must

I trust you.

Now please, stop screaming, and hum me a tune.
By my poems,
And you’re music,
I’ll be there soon.