Shadow Dance

Not a single leaf in the forest moves. 
Completely quiet, they rest,
still asleep though the sun has risen.

Leaf shadows with perfect edges are “painted” 
just a foot or two away, 
directly across from their source,
on tree trunks, leaves and branches.
Like a sharp-edged imprint from a rubber stamp.

The low spotlight in the sky asks, “Are you ready?” 
“The alarm has gone off and I’m awake.
You should be, too.”
Still, no one moves. They want to sleep late.

Ignoring the silence,
the sun continues his work.
Heating. Rising. Penetrating the cool air.

“Wake up!” he cries. “It’s time to get up.”
“I want to dance with you.”

A bird chirps a second alarm.
Then, another.
A light turns on in the house by the woods.
Shadows lengthen; the air heats up.
A breeze is born.

Reluctantly, the forest awakens 
and the shadow dance begins.

© 2026 gratefulsue