Free the Artist

Shadow of Separation (Missing You)

Created by George Presley

Image generated by staff

In the distance stood a shadow
in the shape of a man.
As I slowly walked towards him
he suddenly turned and ran.

An instinct deep inside of me
had me following in his stride,
He didn't want me to lose him
For he never attempted to hide.

As we ran through the forest,
we came upon a stream.
The shadow suddenly disappeared
Or at least so it seemed.

The sun set in an instant
as the moon lit the night,
I didn't quite understand it
But it all seemed so right.

As I slowly turned around
I saw you laying there.
Moonlight shining upon your face,
A gentle breeze blowing through your hair.

You got up and ran towards me
To hold me tenderly in your arms.
You were just as I'd remembered
With all your beauty and your charms.

I felt the love within you
as I held your body near.
And saw the love within your eyes
As I wiped away your tears.

We held each other for a while
And then I heard you say:
"There are three words that I must tell you"
But you then faded away.

As I looked around to find you, the sun reclaimed the skies.

The shadow suddenly reappeared

Where it had vanished before my eyes.

He motioned for me to follow him and I knew it was time to go,

But I told him I needed more time

For there are three words that I must know.

He paid no mind to what I'd said, just simply turned and ran again

and as I tried to fight his calling

I knew it was a battle I couldn't win.

As we headed through the forest back the way that we had come

My legs began growing weak

And my mind became quite numb.

Standing there in confusion, wondering what this all must mean,

I was searching for the shadow

That I truly thought I'd seen.

Then from deep within the forest, as if it were coming from the trees,

I softly heard the three words

That you had wanted to say to me.

"I Love You" were the words that you had wanted me to know.

Strengthening the foundation

That allows our love to grow.

In another part of town, you are awakened from your dreams

By my gentle hand upon your face

Or at least so it seemed.

About the Artist

George Presley

George L. Presley, known to friends as “Bo,” is a 62-year-young artist whose spirit feels closer to twenty-seven. Living inside the prison system, he carries a rare optimism and an openhearted presence that infuses everything he creates. A lifelong reader, writer, and drawer, Bo approaches art the same way he approaches life: with curiosity, resilience, and a sense of humor that has carried him through every chapter.
Bo stays active in body and mind. When he is not sketching or writing, he is on the court or the field, playing pickleball, softball, handball, or soccer. Music is a constant companion. So is his faith. He speaks often of the Lord’s hand in his life and of his ongoing search for a deeper path, learning the difficult art of letting go.
Although he has been creating for years, this is the first time Bo has had a platform to share his work publicly. With the support of his friend and sponsor through Unconditional Freedom Project, he is stepping forward to offer his drawings and writings to anyone who might find warmth, connection, or inspiration in them. He hopes his work will touch hearts the way making it has touched his own.

View all Artwork by George Presley