Orpheus

when did you stop following,
my shadow people,
when did you tire of waiting
for me to turn around
and acknowledge you with a glance,
honor you with a flagging pace
of one who finally remembers?

at which corner did you stop
and watch me go unprotected
and undeserving,
rushing along my forward course,
how many slipstreamed oversights
did it take before you knew
i was a waste of time?

could i retrace my empty steps
i’d turn around, slowly
and walk back to where you stopped.
i’d follow a backward path
to undo my life without you,
my shadow people,
to love you, standing still and quiet.