more image than a shade

the figure that retreats might have a tale
to freeze the heart or turn one into stone
we're deep into a strange and mortal zone

we've been set up and now must never fail
one is the true soul and one is the clone
the figure that retreats might have a tale

a year may pass and then the sudden gale
makes the reeds bend and tall trees groan
whose branches break much easier than bone
the figure that retreats might have a tale