ANI MEETS HER SHADOW

    

​     ANI MEETS HER SHADOW
 
 
     Ani, all of eight months old,
     Had just learnt how to crawl.
     She set out happily on all fours;
     Eagerly propelling forward her body so small.
     But as she set out speedily to explore,
     Some of the interesting things she could see,
    Ani suddenly stopped, sat down on the floor, 
    And looked around, rather worriedly.
    After a moment, she decided to set off once more,
    Crawling along on her chubby little hands and knees,
    But once again, she stopped, and stared at the floor –
    A strange black object was following her, she could see.
    It moved when she did, and stopped when she did,
    And loomed menacingly over her little head.
    Ani’s face puckered – she was ready to cry;
    Something was chasing her, and it filled her with dread.
    But suddenly, in a burst of bravery, she stuck out her tiny foot,
    And tried to kick the black object firmly away,
    But alas! It didn’t budge, and instead, Ani’s mama began to smile;
    Ani bawled – couldn’t mama see the fearful, black thing in her way?
    Why was mama laughing? Ani just couldn’t understand.
    Ani was frightened – something was definitely amiss;
    Then mama came forward, her arms outstretched,
  “The black monster will disappear if I give you a kiss….”    

  © Santhini Govindan 
 
  Please do not reprint/publish this poem without getting prior permission from the author.