A boy and his shadow

What constitutes a boy?
Is it sitting in the sun
A outer pose of disinterest
Masking inner humble listening?
Is it a willingness to fall and get up again
(As long as no one sees)?
Is it knowing his place
Whose feet to sit at
When not to speak?
Is it the sum of all these things
Or none of them?
Is it knowing his shadow will never leave
Not forever
Not for long
And making a friend
Of this lifelong companion
Himself?
Or is it waiting just long enough
For the right question to show itself
Then not being afraid
To ask it