Chasing Shadows Poem by LONDIS CARPENTER

Did you ever chase your shadow,
try to catch it in your hand?
Did it always slip away
each time you tried and tried again?

Have you hidden from your mirror
and tried to take a peek,
- without seeing your own image-
in a game of hide and seek?

When you looked at your reflection
in a river or a brook,
have you ever tried to catch it
in a net or with a hook?

When your father takes your picture
with a camera at the fair,
have you squeezed your eyes shut tightly,
to pretend that you're not there?

When the pictures were developed,
did you hope your wish came true,
but found instead your silly face
was staring back at you?

If you can catch your shadow
or hide from a looking glass,
catch your reflection with a fishhook,
or escape a camera flash,

then you are something special;
you'll be famous if you try.
For if you can catch your shadow
you are much smarter than I.