An Individuality Poem by RIC BASTASA

i am always a shade of something else
a background for instance
am i not a part of it? i am.

in the dark, i am black
so what do you see? just darkness
how can i be a ghost? a mist?
a white fog amidst the sea of darkness
a soul floating in cold air
you will be afraid for what you will see
so i am but a black shadow
blending with the night
you see nothing
but i shall speak in the comfort of your sleep

during the day
i assume the shape of a body
settle on the mind
live on the plain and the green grass
take the shade of the big tree
and wade myself on the shallow waters
we will be there
enjoying the conversation
sipping tea
and watching the seagulls
we shall take the beauty
in the most ordinary ways we can
spectators and distant from the touch
of pain and too careful about desire

you see? how can we be hurt
an island to an island
between us the ocean