I stepped into the shadow
of a tall coneflower today,
accidentally cutting into the dance
of light and dark,
sun and shade.
A me-shadow,
gray and blobbish,
blotted out the elegant outline
of stem and petal and leaf.
I quickly stepped aside.
The shadow swayed
a nod of thanks,
for she had only a few hours
to stretch herself
across the cedar-stained deck.
Already she was shrinking
as the sun climbed the sky.
She will wane to a nub at noon,
then lengthen
as the day drifts on,
until the sun sinks
and she melts into night.
It’s so human not to notice
when we overshadow something
or someone.
The coneflower reminds me
to step out of the way,
for the time is short,
and we are all invited
to cast our own shadow,
to create our own dance,
to show our own shape,
to recognize the ever-changing beauty
in each of us.
-kh-
Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.
Nature of the week:
Shadow of the week:
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Text and photos © Karyn Henley 2026. All rights reserved.
