Planting My Feet in the Shadows

charcoal sketch by Terence McManus

PLANTING MY FEET IN THE SHADOWS

 

At nine years old

I was either a dreamer

Or superstitious,

Or odd;

Following Randi’s steps,

I planted my feet

In my friend’s invisible footprints;

The shadow of her being.

Could I transport into her world?

Her golden tendrils become mine?

Her dimpled smile, mine?

Her perfect home, mine? 

Minor misstep--

It couldn’t happen, but

Dreaming could.

As I climbed her steps

My hand grasped the iron railing

Where her fingers touched

Marching behind,

Synchronized.

Up to her pink room

Dappled with dancing daisies and rose ribbons,

Everything my room was missing.

 

I watched her mother part Randi’s hair

Into a straight line

Then gather her waves into bouncy pigtails.

Randi twirled them around like propellers

And they laughed.

Was it strange to love my friend so much

To want to be her mirror image?

Would I follow her

Into her battle with cancer?

 

I couldn’t.
 

Jesus offers

More than the world,

A smile,

Radiant from within

Until reaching the mansion he’s prepared.

A perfect home,

Dappled with daisies and ribbons of gold,

Choirs of angels singing tunes of praise and peace.

 

I could follow

His steps

That lead to life.

On September 13, I’m participating in the walk to end children’s brain tumors through the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation. I’m excited to fundraise for such an important cause. No one should have to suffer the way these families suffered.

If you would like to donate to this foundation, you can click on this link.

     /fundraiser/frances-judge/walk-to-end-childrens-brain-tumors--long-island-

In addition, I will be donating 10% of my book sale profits to the Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation. If you are interested in purchasing my novel Randi’s Steps, you can click on this link to Amazon Books.

Randi's Steps (Amazon books)