The Poetry Corner

Your Shadow

By John Frederick Freeman

From Swindon out to White Horse Hill I walked, in morning rain, And saw your shadow lying there. As clear and plain As lies the White Horse on the Hill I saw your shadow lying there. Over the wide green downs and bleak, Unthinking, free I walked, And saw your shadow fluttering by. Almost it talked, Answering what I dared not speak While thoughts of you ran fluttering by.... So on to Baydon sauntered, teased With that pure native air. Sometimes the sweetness of wild thyme The strings of care Did pluck; sometimes my soul was eased With more than sweetness of wild thyme. Sometimes within a pool I caught Your face, upturned to mine. And where sits Chilton by the waters Your look did shine Wildly in the mill foam that sought To hide you in those angry waters. And yet, O Sweet, you never knew Those downs, the thymy air That with your spirit haunted is-- Yes, everywhere! Ah, but my heart is full of you, And with your shadow haunted is.