I stopped for a second and looked.
A shadow does not get tired.It does not complain.It does not put the bag down and rest.It just carries what you carry.It knows the weight because it is stuck to you.
**That felt frank. **
Buying grocery is not a big story.It is not exciting.It is just something that has to be done.But in that light,the shadow made it look important.It made a tired errand look like work with purpose.The bushes beside me had messy shadows.The wall behind was pale and cracked.My shadow was the darkest thing on the road.
No filter.No pose.Just a person and the weight she is carrying.
When I got home I put the groceries down.My arm was sore.But I kept thinking about that shadow on the road.How it walked with me.How it did not let go of the bag.Shadow knows the weight.Even when no one else sees it.
I went to buy grocery tonight.
The fridge was empty.No bread.No milk.No snacks.The kind of empty that forces you to get up even when you do not feel like it.So I walked out after dinner to the corner shop that stays open late.
The street was quiet.One dog was sleeping near the wall.A bike passed every few minutes.The air was cool and smelled like dust.I was not thinking about pictures.I was thinking about the list.Rice.Yoghurt. Oil.Something for morning.
The shopkeeper was slow but kind.He gave me extra coriander and said it was fresh.He put everything in one plastic bag.It was heavier than I expected.My wrist felt it on the walk back.
That is when I saw it.
A street lamp was right above me.On the ground,my shadow was stretched out long.Clear.Dark.Honest.
The shadow had my head,my shoulders, my body.And in one hand,it was holding the bag.The bag in the shadow looked bigger.It was swinging with each step just like my real hand.
