Last Friday I shared some of my favourite poems from my childhood. I chose just three, but there were some really fabulous ones that didn’t make last week’s post, including one that ranked a few mentions in the comments: My Shadow, by Robert Louis Stevenson. Coincidentally, I’ve been aware in my many beach walks over the past few months, of how often I capture photos of my own shadow – either deliberately or not ( I call them shadow selfies, except, because they’re of me, they are SALfies). So, I thought I’d collect up some of those photos and share them, with the poem. As you listen, see if you can spot the dolphins – a mother and her new calf, who I spent an hour walking with a couple of weeks ago.
And, here’s the poem, which is in the public domain:
My Shadow
by Robert Louis Stevenson
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 sleepyhead,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.
Your photos go perfectly with the poem!
Thank you, Mary Lee.
SALfies–so clever!
Thanks Laura 🙂
What a treat!! Thanks for reading this one; your photos are perfection! The poem hasn’t lost one iota of charm after all these years.
Thanks Jama. It is definitely a poem that stands the test of time.
Sally, I adored your SALfies, delightful images of your shadow against the gorgeous coastal waters. I also liked your duo image poems with a back and forth dialogue. I would like to add them to a future summer gallery collection with your approval. Thank you for the lovely shoutout also.
Thank you Carol, and yes, feel free to add them to one of your galleries!
Shadowy fun! Thanks so much, Sally. I really enjoyed this RLS poem in your voice, and the lovely ocean … always engaging.
Thank you Karen.
What fun to read that Stevenson poem again. I’ve always loved it. And, talking to stingrays…what a glorious activity that seems to me who drags her flippers around every day without even a peek at the sea.
Thanks Linda. I do feel so lucky to find these creatures to talk to – and admire.
Hi Sally, I love that ray & you talking as you walk/flip & flap! I grew up with RLS’s Shadow, remember looking up why he called it an “India rubber fall”. Hearing you plus the pictures make a special video. The shadows as the ocean moves are especially fun!
Thanks for visiting and enjoying Linda. Those ‘old’ poems did throw up lots of wonderings and add words to our vocabularies too – arrant is one!
Love your “SALfies” – hee hee! “My Shadow” is one my favorite RLS poems – love that the dolphin family got in on your video. And, your pal, “Ray”, sure has nice manners. ; )
Thanks Bridget.
These poems are delightful! I love your voice as you talk to your shadow and to a sting ray. You are so lucky to be able to live close to the sea.
Thanks Janice. Yes, I count my blessings every day!
How lucky you are to spend time with a dolphin and her new calf! I especially like “SALfie” and “your flippers dragging in the sand.”
Thanks Tabatha. Yes, it was a really magical experience.
Oooooh… My Shadow. Such a wonderful poem! I so want to use ‘arrant’ in something someday. I just love, ‘like an arrant sleepyhead’! (I’d like to be that arrant sleepyhead, too!?)
lol. Pretty sure I AM an arrant sleepyhead. I agree it’s a wonderful poem – he was just brilliant.