“Light Casts the Longest Shadows”

We lit the fire to chase the dark, Raised banners to the dawn, Called it truth, called it grace, Swore the night was gone. But every flame that crowns a name Draws darkness to its feet— The brighter that the torch is held, The sharper what we meet. Light casts the longest shadows, Across the stone, the soul, the land. What shines the most upon the world Still hides what it can’t stand. You can praise the glow, You can kneel, you can follow— But light casts the longest shadows. We built our laws from morning words, Our sins from holy flame, Said, “Look how clear the pathway is,” Never named the pain. For every crown of blinding gold A silhouette is born— A truth unspoken in the glare, A wound we dress as morn. Light casts the longest shadows, In temples, thrones, and dreams. What claims to banish all the dark Still fractures at the seams. You can trust the glow, You can swear it will save you— But light casts the longest shadows. Not all darkness comes from night, Some is carved by day. Not all monsters fear the sun— Some learn to hide that way. Light casts the longest shadows, Where justice thinks it’s pure. The brighter we insist we are, The less we see for sure. So hold the flame with open eyes, Not pride, not fear, not bravado— Remember this when dawn arrives: Light casts the longest shadows.