dVerse MTB — Shadow

Shadow

You'd not be an ideal in anyone's fantasy
nor a bulls-eye to train one's dart upon.

You're an incomplete package who should
be shipped back for refund; 1 Yelp star.

You're a puzzle; with fallen, irrecoverable
pieces, incomplete, and donated to charity.

You're not the kind of mystery anyone
wants to solve; who spreads dis-ease.

You're a shattered mirror that I stare into,
a reflection, a figure whose gaze I avoid.


Björn is today’s host for dVerse’ Meeting the Bar. Björn says: write a via negativa poem.

46 Comments Add yours

  1. Aptivi's avatar Aptivi says:

    Very well done, Lisa! 👍

    Have a great weekend! ☺️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Aptivi, many thanks. Wishing you a great weekend also <3

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Aptivi's avatar Aptivi says:

        You’re most welcome, Lisa. Thank you for your kind wishes! ☺️💜

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Maggie's avatar Maggie says:

    Beautiful written Lisa ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Maggie, thank you <3

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Nice take on the prompt.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Ron.'s avatar Ron. says:

    Great negative inventory!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Ron, thank you.

      Like

  5. Very cool, Lisa! Nicely done. 😎

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Nancy thank you <3

      Liked by 1 person

  6. bruce@ssa's avatar bruce@ssa says:

    A very negative take on a very negative prompt. Job well done, Lisa. Two negatives make a positive!😉

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks, Bruce. Not always easy to face one’s darker side.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. lynn__'s avatar lynn__ says:

    Good one, Lisa…the mirror is introspective.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

    Nice one, Lisa! I especially like: ‘You’re an incomplete package who should
    be shipped back for refund’ and:

    ‘You’re a puzzle; with fallen, irrecoverable
    pieces, incomplete, and donated to charity.’

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Frewin55's avatar Frewin55 says:

    I think we all have such moments of self-doubt, Li, but they are wholly uncalled for in your case as this excellent take on the prompt shows…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Andrew, a very kind thing to say. I’m glad (?) the self-doubt spoke to you. Why can’t we be happy with who we are?

      Like

  10. merrildsmith's avatar merrildsmith says:

    Wonderful negative imagery, Li! I agree with Andrew though.

    I really thought you were describing someone else.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Merril, to be honest, it started out as my ex-bf, but the Muse made me see otherwise.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. merrildsmith's avatar merrildsmith says:

        It’s cool how that happens!

        Liked by 1 person

  11. erbiage's avatar erbiage says:

    li, i lol’d at “be shipped back for refund”

    Liked by 1 person

  12. erbiage's avatar erbiage says:

    and what i see in the mirror…. well some days are better than others there

    Liked by 1 person

  13. So much mystery in that shadow that seems to always be there…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      You made me think of that nursery rhyme that starts, “I have a little shadow…” Indeed.

      Like

  14. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

    Very well done

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Sadje, thank you.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadje's avatar Sadje says:

        You’re very welcome ☺️

        Liked by 1 person

  15. rothpoetry's avatar rothpoetry says:

    We do have contrasting poems, don’t we? The sattered view turns us into a mosaic! :>) Well done, Lisa.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Dwight, good way of putting it. Thank you.

      Like

  16. Great choice for this prompt, Lisa! Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Sara, thanks much <3

      Like

  17. Unknown's avatar Anonymous says:

    This broke my heart, I can so relate to this. Thank you for sharing this poem, Lisa.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. M Jay Dixit's avatar M Jay Dixit says:

      Mrityunjay (Jay) This side.

      Like

    2. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Jay, I’m sorry you can :( You are welcome, my friend.

      Like

  18. jaerose37's avatar jaerose37 says:

    I love how you use the negatives to get right to the point! Jae

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Jae, thank you <3

      Like

  19. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

    I’m always happy to stumble across neat images like this.

    Like

  20. Gillena Cox's avatar Gillena Cox says:

    Such a stark reality, shiwn through a shattered mirror

    much love

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Gillena, thank you for reading and your feedback <3

      Like

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