The Lone Traveller

My only company is in the form of vultures
Who stare at me with watchful eyes
So unforgiving as I cross the wastelands
They wait patiently for those who die.

And accompanying me on my way is a friend
Who only disappears when the night-time falls
He is someone who cannot speak at all
He cannot cry out a warning or call.

He is my shadow, there at each place I go
Synchronised steps, joined as one forever
He is the only thing I have to remind me I survive
And, though strange, we’ll always be together.

Sometimes I long for someone to talk with
Perhaps even somebody to love me
And I could go home with imaginary camera in hand
To show everyone what I see.

Yet I should think in now and not always
And forget about what the future may hold
Forget about how crazy I may be going
Forget about how warm it is, yet I feel so cold.

But when the time comes and I finally die
Somebody will write what I have known
What things I’ve seen, smelt and heard
And that I had walked alone.

Eleanor Hynds (14)