Lear’s Shadow

A poem for America

“Off, off, you lendings—Come unbutton here” (Shakespeare, King Lear, Act 3, Scene 4), print, William Sharp, after Benjamin West (Wiki Commons).

Lear’s Shadow

My shape still displaces 
sunlight, at least, still 

mimics my every 
movement, never 

fathoming thought, 
aesthetic of knot, 

four limbs, three 
ends—one daughter.

It’s been proven. 
The Sun rotates Earth. 

Or is it the other way 
round? Eclipsed? 

I’m confused. Terribly. 
Please, night, end this.

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TFP IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE IOWA WRITERS COLLABORATIVE

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