Tiger Lily’s Shadow Dance

Bugs in jugs and toads nailed to roads, 

deformed birds with no feather, and some creatures wrapped in leather.

Beasts that bite and sting; some even sing 

as you swat and swing, duck and dive, juke and jive!! 

Learn to dance, bounce as you go, 

keep tune with a hum and fashion a bow. 

Not all is as it seems with the new moon rise 

as it screams, “Sky Eaters play nice but the Bog Dwellers carry lice.” 

“They will catch you and cut you, 

slay you and flay you, boil you and eat you!”  

Run fast and true, loose arrows of bark and bamboo;

may they fly straight unto those who mean to undo.  

You are not a snack but a feast of fury whence flint fastened fletching frame flew 

You are a wild one with aim that can be trained true.

Learn to stalk and tiptoe at night, 

especially when your shadow is not in sight.

A trickster with no name it’s anything but tame, 

shenanigans are his game none ever the same.  

Like a dance in the rain or a run through thick cain 

it’s presence is disruptive if not vain.

Always looking to displace, wanting it’s own base 

your shadow will try to set the pace.

In the dark it finds it’s own spark and roams about like a lark 

trying to find a way to disembark.

With sure footing and practice sewing shoe 

I’m sure a bit of glue and twine will do.

If it get’s away just catch it by toe or two, 

wrestle it and sew it right back on to you.

Shadow’s of moons past need not have control, the monsters it’ll lead you to take a toll; 

change your direction and leave that shadow behind with your face full of shine.

Related:

https://theprose.com/post/218878/lost-boy-boo-s-blue-dancing-shoes

Image:

Pirate Hunter Tiger Lily - By OgawaBurukku