"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."
From My Shadow by Robert Louis Stevenson
This is an excerpt from my favorite childhood poem. This lovely verse caused me to pay a lot of attention to my shadow. It has been years since I have taken the time to acknowledge my shadow and wonder if you pay any attention to yours. It is always with us in some form. Should such a close associate have it's own name? Do you enjoy the company of your shadow or do you fear your own shadow? Or do you give a flying fig about your shadow?
If you have time, read about this strange shadow person. Is this a case of "paranoia, persecution or alien control"?
This is called blog posting desperation:)
That's one of my favorite poems, too, Annie. I always find shadows fascinating - but that's the first I've read/heard about a shadow being perceived as an entirely different person to the person's own shadow...if that makes any sense! What she has makes me think of a temporary out-of-body experience or something...
ReplyDeleteDesperation gets us all now and again. Shadows....hummm...reminds me of the shadow puppet plays that I watched in Indonesia.
ReplyDeleteTalon -- It's kind of spooky to think of your shadow hugging you. That Cosmos site was interesting and there were some cool related topics in the side bar.
ReplyDeleteTabor -- I can't remember who it was but some family member or friend could put on the coolest hand shadow shows on the wall when I was a kid.
Yes, hand shadow shows are the very best use of a shadow.
ReplyDeleteThey are amusing and inventive and children are fascinated by them and can watch for hours.
I read about the woman and her shadow problems and haven't got a clue what she is talking about.
My favorite radio show when I was a kid was "The Shadow" who started his program with 'Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men; The Shadow knows." Lamont Cranston was the Shadow's name.Anybody else remember besides me?
I have not given much thought to my own shadow, but will definitely do that today. :)
ReplyDeleteYes I've always preferred my shadow to me. When I look at it, I always think "Yes that's what I really want to look like, that's me."
ReplyDeleteI love my shadow but not my reflection.
Nancy -- I was raised on "The Shadow knows" and my dad always said it in a deep, dangerous sounding voice and would add a scary laugh at the end. I don't know if I ever heard the actual radio show. I'm looking forward to your story tomorrow on The Elder Storytelling Place:)
ReplyDeleteLynn -- I especially love my shadow when it is skinny:)
LL Cool Joe -- Loving a shadow and not a reflection is very interesting insight. I must ponder that as well.
When I was little I thought the moon was following me all the way home. My shadow, I thought, was the moon disguising itself, pretending it was not following me. Ouch! Paranoia strikes early.
ReplyDeleteI totally forgot about that poem! Thank you, that was a nice memory.
ReplyDeleterosaria -- I loved your comment "My shadow, I thought, was the moon disguising itself". That is a pretty deep thought for a child.
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty -- That first verse is what we all remember most but the entire poem is pretty cool. It was in the book A CHILD'S GARDEN OF VERSE and I should have shown my copy of that book. It was very lovingly handled.
If you haven't seen it already, search on You Tube for the little girl who is afraid of her shadow. It is priceless.
ReplyDeleteMy shadow and I are on good terms. One good reason for this is that my shadow is usually a long, thin version of me, and I like that very much! :-)
Taylor got a kick out of your Dumb & Dumber comment. He's still in contact with those guys, and they are indeed still dumb as stumps.
I know the poem you wrote about. Have heard it many times.
ReplyDeleteNow only the shadow knows - I think it is the side of us we hide.
sandie♥
I've found that my shadow is much to large. Not like me at all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding of the cute poem. Haven't seen link today- sounds in comments like a shadow ghost- have read many stories about those. I do shadow puppets- bird, teddy, horse, ect...
ReplyDeleteI have very little company in my free time, so I value my shadow, n take tons of shadow pics, waving at me.
I have a design collection based on a shadow theme somewhere-
No shadows here today- too cloudy again.
Come to think of it - it's a while since I saw may shadow. Should I be worried?
ReplyDeleteYes I love my shadow and I remembered a beautifly 'captured' of my family shadows when we were in The Grand Canyon - Arizona :D
ReplyDeleteJust read that link, (on fast 'puter) about creating a shadow person by stimulating a part of the brain -- n still think it may be why there are reports of shadow ghosts, an explanation for scitzophrenia perhaps too-
ReplyDeleteMore snow today, only a foot!
no, no, no looking at my shadow shows me how much weight I need to loose!! LOL But i just put Alli in my basket on Amazon thanks to you!!!
ReplyDelete120 capsules for $40 (0.35 a pill) is that good? I have no idea...I think Costco or Bj's sells it as well.