In praise of umbra, those lightless shadows,
That wrap and mantle with watery flows,
Those dark frames hiding from the light,
To mask reality and blur the sight.
This world of light, of neon bright
Deprives the contemplation of lingering delight
Of gloomy, dim and nebulous detail,
Of the eye-pleasure of restful travail.
What visual allure, what fun for the eyes,
Like a child finding animals in clouds’ guise,
The joy in pondering this monochrome world
Where branches’ fingers claw on the bedroom wall, curled.
Show me your darkness, your complex insides
Your hidden veils, and your secretive prides.
Shadows whisper more, whether to hide or reveal,
The light, so easy to love, is just a turn of the wheel.
Pamela Bray
