How to Housebreak a Shadow
Carolyn Moore
After catastrophe, perform in silk
under harsh lights and over the day's fresh
newspapers spread across the floor.
During its convalescent growth, console
the shadow sniffing, cowering, at your feet.
Pat it and point the papers out.
Tell it the intricate, shadow-free frost etched
on your pane is winter's fleeting jealousy.
Coax and hoist its confidence.
Push its nose in each failure—yet grant
it stints of thrills and frolic at the end
of the mindful leash teaching restraint.
Once, fractured and ambivalent, it shows
collared obedience, reward it. Call it
Grief and feed it beneath the sink.
