Tuesday Poem-My Shadow-Robert Louis Stevenson-read by Billy Connolly

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,

And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.

He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;

And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow-

Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;

For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india -rubber ball,

And he sometimes gets so little that there’s none of him at all.

He hasn’t got a notion of how children ought to play,

And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.

He stays so close beside me, he’s a coward you can see;

I’d think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me.

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,

I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;

But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,

Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

 

 

 

 This poem, is still one of the most popular short poems around.  Personally I love the detail of its observation. As adults I think we take our shadows for granted. I know I do.  But take a few moments to remember what an amazing thing a shadow really is!  This week I have made a pledge to become reaquainted with mine. Care to join me? If you are a tad unsure how…ask a young one to help you out. And if you are a young one and reading this…you can show mum or dad or gran and pops how! 🙂 You could start by watching this clip of ‘My Shadow,’ read by Billy Connolly.

For information on Robert Louis Stevenson  click here.

And or to return to Tuesday Poem’s hub, click here.