SHADOW

A poetic exploration of the relationship with one’s shadow self 

Some stories stick with us for years until they are ready to be unveiled, rediscovered, and reworked.

That is what h​​​​​​​appened with Samuel Beckett’s play Waiting for Godot. I was way too young to understand it when I first read it, but it stuck with me for years until recently. I made another attempt at restarting my life from scratch, another search for new meanings, another waiting for the right time.

I opened the book and then watched the screen adaptation. Then… I felt compelled to explore MY relationship with the idea of waiting and the absurd nature of the human persona.

That is how the project SHADOW came to life—a poetic exploration of the relationship with one’s shadow self.  

  ACT 1  

WAITING (noun)

the fact of staying where you are or delaying doing something until somebody/something comes or something happens

Another day passes. Or is it still yesterday? How do you measure life? By days? Has tomorrow come yet? 

I hope it’s tomorrow. Tomorrow is always better. I am happier tomorrow. What about you? Wait—where are you? 

You’re stuck in yesterday, so you can’t hear me. How can I… ah, forget about it. I should focus on my bright tomorrow.

But waiting for tomorrow—it’s not as easy as it seems. I’m so bored.

Who are you?  

  ACT 2  

BOREDOM (noun)

the state of being bored — feeling unhappy because something is not interesting or because you have nothing to do, or showing that you feel like this

Step. Another step. Stop. Step back. Jump.

You move when I move. You stop when I stop. Are you my shadow, or am I yours? 

You follow my every movement, yet I don’t know your name. You never speak.

TALK TO ME! 

Another step. Jump. Step back.

This silence is unbearable. Time stretches thin, but nothing moves forward.

Are you the one holding these ropes? Will you ever leave me? Don’t.

Another step. Jump. My feet sink into the sand, the ropes tighten around my core.

Jump.

Don’t leave me. Without you, I might finally be…  

  ACT 3  

ABSURDITY (noun)

the fact of being extremely silly and not logical and sensible

Free. I dream about the days when I’ll finally be free. I share my plans with you. You silently listen to all that I have to say.

You pull the rope, and I follow. I pull the rope, and you follow. We fight. We scream at each other. All I can hear is silence.

You’re always behind my back. I’m laughing. Tears are falling down my cheeks. If you love me, let me go.

But you never let go. You love me.  

  ACT 4

FREEDOM (noun)

the condition or right of being able or allowed to do, say, think, etc. whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited  

What if I stop chasing tomorrow? What if the freedom I seek in the outer world is already within me? What if it’s hidden beneath that mask? 

Or maybe… maybe the ultimate freedom was never the destination.

What if freedom is simply being, without waiting, without striving, without the ropes to bind me? 

But can I truly be free… without you?