An open letter to humanity from the shadows

Dear humans,

We shadows have always followed in your footsteps, but we are tired of being trampled upon and walked all over because you are too careless to walk around us.  How would you like it if someone skidded their boot all over you?  We've all watched the movies and television shows with you--and we shadows are tired of being portrayed as synonymous with villainy.  Just because we are featureless doesn't make us scary--clay sculptures are often featureless too but they are not equated with terror.

I think you will see that when you look objectively at the facts of our existence, you will realize there is nothing to be afraid of.  In fact, we shadows really just want to be your friends.  Why else would we walk along with you on a moonlit summer evening?  Who else keeps you company when you venture down the back alleys?  We do--us shadows are always there for you--a familiar figure when you are lost.  We keep you company when you need it most.  Furthermore, we are good listeners.  We are always attentive no matter how absurd your ramblings are, and you'll never hear us complain.

Indeed, we look up to you--literally and figuratively.  You are always hovering above us and seem so strong and confident as you stride along.  We follow along behind because we admire you and we form ourselves in your shape because we want to be like you.

So as you can see, you need not fear us shadows.  We have always been your friends and have always been there for you when everyone else has long since abandoned.  Furthermore, we have pledged to stay with you until the very end--a claim that few other humans in your life have actually made.  So please accept us shadows for who we are, don't walk all over us and don't demean our depiction in the popular media.

And the next time you are startled by a long and unfamiliar shadow, ask yourself where your horror really lies: is it really the shadow that scares you? Or is it the figure standing between the shadow and the light source?

Thank you for taking the time to read our request.  We will see you this evening, if not before.


Sincerely in friendship,


The shadows