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.
Bob, Joe, Dawn
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