Just Shadows: Song & Poem

A shadow among shadows. A soul in torment? A sleepwalker on autopilot? Walking through empty streets at night can be an antidote to loneliness and hopelessness. Is it true? Pablo González-O'Neal sings a blues about these grim matters: "Just Shadows."

Just Shadows

(Poem)

I told myself, without conviction,

"A walk will calm the affliction."

To the rhythm of silent songs,

I dodged the naked shadows

that memory leaves behind.

Everything has its time,

but dreams of eternal love

fade too soon.

Laughing is better than crying,

but where have the laughs all gone?

The city whispered:

"Do not fall in love."

At night, my soul would wander,

denying dreams out of fear.

And the smiles of strangers—

melancholy, never envy—

left behind promises of days

that would never be mine.

I swore to myself, false and firm,

never to dream again.

Like an addict, I kept losing

in gray streets, in the wind,

the solace that never came. 

© [2025] [Daniel Olivero González]. All rights reserved.