They merge and break from the city light,
Flicker like an invisible fight,
Scan in sequence across the wall,
Depend on light but let darkness fall.

I wish they could make conversation,
Declare their friendship or frustration:
Such beautiful familiarity -
They know why I'm back in Coventry.

If only they were solid enough
For me to clamber onto the rough
And over the vicious grey steel railings
To apologise for my terrible failings.

Respect your shadows, they know you best,
Maybe deeper than the closest rest
Of your likeable, distant, so-called friends.
The shadows know how I must make amends.