Clinging and Cleared
Shadows drift when the iron grip's released.

Some fingers cling tighter than they should—
But when they open in a palm—
The shadows cease.
Shadows part - light descends - when we release.
🌫️👻❄️🖤
Cobbled, frost-covered stones
Shadows drift under streetlights.
Gripping with thin fingers
Refusing to release.
💀🌙🖤
I grasp its wispy fingers.
Prying - it clings.
Each finger lifts.
Drops.
And grasps - with more fervour..
🌫️🖤💨
My hands - in a palm.
Fingers limp, an absence of pain.
The shadow drifts --
Lightens.
Relents.
🌟✨🕊️
My fingertips leave the iron.
The mist parts -- light's new glow.
The cobblestones shine-
Clear-
Bright-
🌌🕯️🌿
Peace.
🌌🕯️🌿
Original poem by Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin. AI tags are coincidental.
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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Comments (3)
Let it all come when the time is right - not clinging, but in openness. Great poem!
Your command over the shadow, the fingers and the palm. Drove the image to me slowly but effectively. The way you set the scene, interacting with the cobbled stone and the streetlight, gives me so much more to occupy my mind, to enjoy the way you link words between rhythm. Love how the poem ended with peace. After the moment the fingertips leave the iron. 🤗❤️🖤
Do outcomes come easily for you when you release them? Do share.