to know myself
is to know the shadow
I walk with,
to know the subtlety
of her ways,
to recognise euphoria
can plummet
to despair
in a moment, and,
without warning,
that manic tendencies
are a signal,
to slow down,
and stop,
to face the shadow,
to call her by name,
to take stock,
regain control
to walk calmly
with her again….
she is the black dog,
and mostly we are able
to be friends…
Eternal footsteps 
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