A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

Do you remember the poem "My Shadow" - at least the first couple of lines?  I'm sure that it was grandmother who quoted it to me (maybe I should say "at" me).

Scottish poet, essayist and author Robert Louis Stevenson  (1850-1894) wrote it in addition to the more well known Treasure Island.  The Saalfield Publishing Company published A Child's Garden of Verses illustrated by C.M. Burd which includes a short version of "Shadow".  I was able to purchase a copy of this linen book recently and have it available for sale ($45.00).  Here is a photo of the book and a full version of the poem.  Enjoy.  If you are interested in purchasing the book, just email me: oldbaglady@embarqmail.com. 

My 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.