Tiny Treasury

One of my readers (cleverly disguised as the Easter Bunny) gave me a copy of Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses as a book that she felt tied into the gardening theme for March.

I had this book as a child and remember it quite well. In fact, I parodied one of the poems in the book for a competition when I was in grade school (I was 10 or 11). So, on this, the last day of March, I figured I’d wrap up with the original and my version.

Thanks for indulging me.

Robert Louis Stevenson’s “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’s very very like me from the heels up the head.
And I see him jump before me as 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 small 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 sticks 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 to find 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.

Poetic insert (authored by me, performed by my friend, Shannon):

“Please don’t waste anymore of our time!
Going on about your shadow; what a silly rhyme!
Stand back and I’ll tell you of a problem that’s real!
My bratty little sister, now that’s a big deal!!

My poem, parodying “My Shadow” called “My Sister”:

I have a little sister who’s as mean as she can be.
And how I got stuck with her is truly beyond me.
She’s very, very sneaky, and she always gets her way.
She follows me around a lot and copies what I say.

She goes into my dresser drawers, and pulls out all my clothes.
She smears my lipstick on her face, and mascara on her nose.
She likes to take her stuff, and throw it on my floor.
And when I think she’s finally gone, she comes back bringing more!

I tried to talk it over, but I hadn’t yet been told,
How hard it is to talk to a rambunctious four year old!
I wish that she’s behave, I really wish she would.
She does things when she shouldn’t, and doesn’t when she should.

Sometimes i get so fed up, I don’t know what to do!
But Momma says when I was four, I was like that, too.
I guess I seem ungrateful, but it’s really just a cover.
Because down, deep inside me, I really, really love her.

And the finale:

Which is worse? You decide…
We’re leaving it up to you!
A pesty little sis that tags along?
Or a shadow that sticks like glue?

Of course, life with you was okay.
You were always good enough!
‘Cause when you were small you never, ever
Did that kind of stuff!
… Or did you?

It was fun for me to read my old grade school poem and its accompanying Cast of Characters biographies. According to the program, my stage name was “Cayenne Pepper” whose interests included “volleyball, mountain climbing, old movies, acting, collecting penguin paraphernalia and gymnastics.” My goal in life was to become an “International Corporate Lawyer”. It brought back some nice memories.

I think it’s so important to surround your children with stories, poems and books. You never know where it might lead. Reading opens up worlds of possibilities. It allows you to dare to think big… even if you’re a small town girl in rural North Carolina like I was. I actually did become an international corporate lawyer (though my focus is mostly on international tax)… and I still love to read.

Robert Louis Stevenson, My Shadow