Thursday, August 15, 2013

My shadow....

When I was a child, albeit older than my grandson, Luka, pictured here, my grandfather taught me this poem by Robert Louis Stevenson:

My Shadow

By Robert Louis Stevenson 1850–1894
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.

8 comments:

Lowell said...

I've never seen that poem - it's wonderful; perfect for a little kid!

And I love your photo!

And, so far as I know, there are no "pro-choice" license plates. The religious right pretty much rules Florida.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Beautiful child and a delightful little shadow. Stevenson's poem is a lovely memory of your grandfather.

Bises,
Genie

Tamera said...

That is a darling portrait of Luka. Well done!

Thérèse said...

Une bien belle photo. J'aime beaucoup les poèmes de Stevenson qui en fait sont aussi bien dirgés vers les adultes que vers les enfants.

Luis Gomez said...

Sweet! Thank you.

Alexa said...

This poem is one of my favorites from a loooong time ago. And your daughter must love these wonderful pictures you take of Luka. Memories past—and future.

Gaelyn said...

A favorite poem I also learned as a child, and still think of.

Tash said...

He is soooooo beautiful!

SPRING FASHION

 This is a post that would be better in color, but maybe not. These colors were soooo pale.