Shadows on the Wall
By Bill Shepard
(The story behind the Poem)
God had given Angel and me three beautiful children – forgive me, if I brag a little! Morris, our firstborn was a beautiful baby boy. He was the first grandchild to both sets of grandparents. He was dearly loved and as expected, spoiled from the moment he entered into the world. Seventeen months later, a little girl was sent to take her place beside her brother. Sharyn was just as welcome, and as beautiful as her brother had been. Maybe not as spoiled, a lesson had been taught and learned. Morris and Sharyn were a beautiful pair and loved each other with a close love that was noticeable to all who observed them. The third child, a boy, was born approximately five years later, just as welcome, loved and beautiful. I will continue my bragging-
Few parents have ever been blessed with children that were more respectful to their parents than Angel and I. They were all and more than we could ever have thought. They were like three peas in a pod! We loved them dearly, beginning the first day they came into our lives. Then, all too soon, the nest was empty! They had left the nest in the same order in which they arrived- Morris left first, Sharyn followed, and then Darrell. They were off to college! The same schedule was followed into their marriages. Each finished college, married and chose their careers.
The nest was not only empty, but lonely. One night, while sitting in my den, silence prevailed the atmosphere, and the following lines began to play through my mind. Angel must have been busy at something in another part of the house. I slipped from my chair and took a seat at my nearby desk. As words began to flow through my mind, it seemed shadows danced on the office wall, and my hand picked up a pen and began to write-
Shadows on the Wall
At evenings when night shadows fall,
Across the floor and upon the wall,
Three smiling faces appear to me,
Shining and laughing with childish glee.
All around these shadows come creeping,
From every corner their faces come peeping,
Faces of children happy at play,
Faces that bring memories of yesterday.
Three tiny faces from out of the past,
Come dancing around to make me laugh,
And sometimes even causing a tear,
To fall upon my cheek, here and there.
There’s Morris with his timid eyes of blue,
With his arms around my neck saying, “I love you.”
With a squeeze and a hug, he’s off to bed,
And long after he’s gone, I ponder the things he said.
There’s shy little Sharyn, with her trusting eyes,
That sparkle and dance over the smallest surprise,
A doll, a dress, a new pair of shoes,
And she’ll squeal and prance, and drive away my blues.
There’s Darrell with his chubby little fingers and hand,
Saying so proudly, “I’m Daddy’s little man.”
And my heart just swells with pride and joy,
As I pat the head of my baby boy.
Then one by one the shadows disappear,
And l realize I’ve just been dreaming, in my old arm chair,
But they’ll come again when the night shadows fall,
And run and play on my bedroom wall.
I’ll see them again as in Yesterday,
When life was young and merry and gay,
Far from the burdens, heartaches and strife,
That seem to pile up as we live our lives.
Bill Shepard
Mr. Shepard is a native of Darlington, S.C., and a current resident of Piedmont, S.C. He is the author of “Mill Town Boy” and “Bruised”. He has been sharing his tales of growing up in Darlington for decades, and we are delighted to share them each week.
His mailing address for cards and letters is: Bill Shepard 324 Sunny Lane, Piedmont, S.C. 29673.