MY SHADOW

My Shadow    by R L 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 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

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