Shadow, shadow, such a silly shadow

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 goes 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 behind 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.

--Robert Louis Stevenson


This is my favorite Robert Louis Stevenson poem. I used to have it memorized, back when I was a kid (lol). Now, I can only remember bits and pieces of it. Perhaps, next summer, I will make it a priority to memorize old poems and songs I used to know.

Happy November 1st!!!
ps--This is my 160th post!!! WHOOT WHOOT!! And I have 30 amazing followers. Love you guys!