Shadows
When I was young there was never anything I looked more forward to than camping in the high wilderness of the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. During the day I was a mountain man, a mighty and fearless warrior in nature. I fished, climbed trees, explored old forgotten ghost towns, looked for lost treasure, learned the ends and outs of surviving in the sometimes harsh environment near and above timberline. I was the typical kid that loved anything and everything about my Rocky Mountains. Except one thing – shadows. As the sun would dip into the western horizon, my old and ancient enemy the shadow and his brothers would start to make their appearance. As the light started to fade my foe would gain strength as the vestiges become longer and more menacing as they advanced from the evergreen and aspen trees that they had been hiding in as the sun dipped down behind them. There was nothing worse in my mind than getting caught away from the camp and the safety of the campfire when the apparitions started to appear. I have always had a vivid imagination and the phantasms knew how to play on my fears. They knew my weakness like no other, Even today when spending time in the woods, I think of those days when I feared the shadows. Maybe, just maybe I still fear them a little.
“Shadows”
Darkness of the night, the hour is late,
Shadows begin their dance, start to skate.
Full moon hidden behind dark clouds,
Shadows creep, ever growing dark shrouds.
Darkening shadows speak of increasing doom,
Swear the air chilled as cold as a tomb.
As a young lad, learned about shadows, beware,
Nothing stops them, not even the Lord’s Prayer.
Apparitions jump from tree to tree,
As darkness and shadows begin to circle me.
Lost in the woods and vestiges to be feared,
Distance, in the distance an orange glow did appear.
Faster and faster as I approached the flickering light,
Shadows falling behind, during this dark moonless night.
Voices, laughter, the smell of a campfire,
Closer to the fire, the shadows begin to expire.
By Kurt James
Kurt James © 2017
Kurt James Novels are available on Amazon and other fine book stores.
The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, all well-known Denver, Colorado media sources, have highlighted the powerful and evocative work of poet and novelist Kurt James. Focusing on Old West history, Kurt contributes feature articles to HubPages and Creative Exiles, exploring the eerie silence of ghost towns, the thrilling tales of outlaws and gunfighters, and the evocative imagery found in the Rocky Mountains.
Kurt’s early admiration for writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand played a significant role in honing his skills as a storyteller. Twenty-one books (and counting!) transport readers to the Colorado Rockies and the Old West through Kurt’s vivid descriptions; the feel of rough-hewn cabins, the sounds of coyotes howling under starry skies, and the smells of campfire smoke and sagebrush are all palpable.
Find Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry—published by Midnight Wind Publishing—in print copies or digital downloads at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and other excellent bookstores; explore the diverse range of formats available.
Currently in production - The 10th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Lee Moomaw Former Lawman.
Kurt is a proud member of the Western Writers of America, a group that values storytelling.
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Yes I think all kids feel this fear of shadows, the darkness that potentially hides some specter or monster. I think a forest at night is particularly scary as a fire would be all the safety one could muster in the mind. Nicely penned and expressed Kurt.
Thanks for you thoughts on my piece Tony…
Well do I remember those childhood days of shadows and phantoms. Your memoir and poem is very well penned and provides vivid imagery. Well done, Kurt.
Shadows of the night – nothing better Phyllis
I can remember when camping out as a kid being huddled around a campfire and telling ghost stories. The shadows certainly added to the spooky atmosphere. A good piece of writing here, Kurt.
You are always welcomed at my campfire John
Shadows always play tricks with your mind, even now in adulthood a dark forest with no relief of light would be a little creepy, alot of things go bump in the night, especially in the forest. Reaching the campfire for sanity and marshmallows always a goal. Great read Kurt.~Paul
Being kids and having shadows chase you is really what it was all about Paul