No True Distance

I met my shadow late one night;
It lingered soft beneath the light,
A silhouette on smooth concrete
Matching the rhythm of my feet.

I walked alone, but it stayed close
It knew my steps, the highs and lows.
It learned my pace, pauses, and stride,
A familiar keeping by my side.

At first it nudged me toward the way
Where broken paths turned bright as day.
It pointed out the safer ground,
A steadiness I’d never found.

It lifted dreams with unwavering cheer,
Made heavy moments feel less near.
It caught my doubts before they fell,
A quiet guide who meant me well.

But soon its hold grew far too tight,
Its steps too close, its pull too right.
I tried to move with space to spare,
Yet felt it breathing at my hair.

I stepped aside to ease alone,
To feel the light that was my own.
I hoped its pull would drift away,
Unthread its hold, unbind its sway.

But when I turned to walk anew,
It stretched behind me, closer too.
It clung to every path I chose,
A shadow no true distance knows.