The shadow following me Through boy to man Questions my life First at a distance but ever closer Now right in front of me, it Pierces my flesh Grabs my heart Attacks my mind Wrestling my resistance Its slow asphyxiating power Forces submission Then acceptance It breathes new life into me And becomes my friend. GayNZ.com welcomes short-format writing based on the joy of being gay or lesbian, whether it be verse, essays, anecdotes or personal insights. The format is not important, the joy is. Email your contributions to us, acknowledging that copyright beyond the environment of GayNZ.com remains with the author, that the work is original, and that GayNZ.com is authorised to publish it. Gordon Miller - 30th July 2006