Shadow Man

You stand there shivering, like

a web in a wind

vulnerable but resilient,

easily underestimated.

I consider it best not to touch

just in case, just in case

I find your Achilles heel

and by accident,

destroy something precious,

that can never be put back together.

I have to step back

ignoring the imaginary prodding

between my shoulder blades

that tries to propel me forward

and the disemboweling churn

in my gut urging me to risk everything,

so, I become a shadow, seen and unseen,

but always there.

© Graham Sherwood 01/2019