It rained when I
Was in Paris it
Rained a cold rain
The kind of rain
That when felt chilled
I went to Paris
Running from things wishing
To leave them behind
But with every droplet
I remembered and soon
In Paris I wept
Paris to me was
The mothers arms needed
When I finally remember
I remember only good
I let the bad
Be carried down river
Like falls fallen leaves
To be spun soaked
And submerged beneath
The heavy cold and
Turbulent waters of time
Once when I was
Younger a lover rented
A garret an awful
Hole in the wall
Stuck way up on
A forgotten floor of
A home whose only
View could be seen
From there and from
There the city fanned
Out like a favorite
Bedtime story calling us
To dream the kinds
Of dreams lovers do
This morning brings hope
The night’s been long
An eternity really as
We’ve waded through disquieting
Secrets and shaken trust
There is crippling pain
When at first truth
Is exposed after lies
It takes us awhile
To try again trust
Flees quickly once freed
Shadows are funny things
Children frolic with them
While adults run away
Oftentimes I do think
That shadows are our
Mirrors reflection soul side
The part of ourselves
Rarely gazed upon infrequently
Considered but always there
Reminding us all that
Even our souls have
A dark side seen
HARLAN DIDRICKSON 