Shadows

A collection of observations

Shadows reveal the truth.

Shadows are subtle, a mystery of shape, light, contrast. They hide in the background, waiting for movement to be noticed. And then like the picture that is both a face and a lamp, you have to see it to see it. You have to notice.

With no light source or surface to land on, shadows retreat. They lay in hiding, knowing their time will come again. We fear some shadows and celebrate the beauty in others. We see the possibility that lies in wait. We wish the too-bright lights were dimmed.

Shadows bring privacy. Alone in the shadow for a few minutes, a kiss can be quickly shared unseen. Sunrise will undo the shadows and bring new ones. Everything changes constantly.

Shadows with each day move a little towards the solstice points, when we reverse course and match the shadows from the other direction. Watch your wall and then wait a week or a month and notice how the shadow has migrated with the season.

All of us smile when we see our shadows on an afternoon sidewalk or a morning wall. We secretly wave to ourselves. We block the light and the image of ourselves appears like magic. We move and our shadow moves.

Shadows on a human form reveal shape. The light catches a crisp white blouse just right. Shadows can reveal our imperfections as well. Other times, shadows intercept the light just right to reveal beauty and grace.

A bright light will pass right through your hand. Opacity only goes so far. When you think it’s dark, wait a few minutes and your eyes will reveal detail hidden moments before.

Shadows create darkness where there would otherwise be light. The sometimes mysterious object blocking the straight line of light creates the darkness until it is moved or the light source moves. When the earth has turned and we can no longer see the sun, the shadows from that light source are all gone until morning. We can turn around 180 degrees and wait for the sunrise, thankful for gravity, so we don’t fly off as we spin through our day at hundreds of miles per hour.

The shadow is sometimes grossly distorted by its relative position to the light source, which always sends its rays in straight lines. When we disrupt the straight line, we create a shadow that has some direct relation to whatever is blocking the light. Our shadow can stretch out 12 feet even if we are 3 feet tall, in the right light.

We have a new phrase lately, “Throwing shade”, meaning to subtly disparage a person or idea. We say that someone is a shadow of their previous self. When we have a constant companion, they are called our shadow.

Humans have been telling time using shadows for 5,000 years using sundials.

Look around right now and notice the light in your world and the beautiful shadows it creates.

Shadows reveal the truth.