Haunted

We all have a shadow
that follows us around,
never leaving our sides. 
It's like a lost puppy,
one that trails behind us.
Except, we forget it's there,
so it's more like the slight chill 
in the air on cool autumn days.
We get so used to our shadow,
that we forget it's even there. 

Expectations aren't our shadows:
we don't always forget about them.
They follow us everywhere, 
always in our line of sight,
constantly making themselves known.
Expectations are more like winter.
They freeze over our paths,
making us slip on the icy path of life.
They make us forget how warm we are,
covering us in a blanket of bitter air.