A Childhood Shadow

Poetry prompts can serve up everything from fun inspiration to unsettling memories. For instance, the shadows prompt courtesy of Poets United Thursday Think Tank brought back a wistful early childhood memory of my late father Ernest Begun and Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses. More specifically, the two of us reciting my favorite childhood poem, My Shadow.

I’m certain that the many hours we spent poring over that Stevenson volume had lots to do with my own versifying. And so, this haiku:

Robert Stevenson’s
I have a little shadow…
My dad’s knee at three.

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12 Responses to “A Childhood Shadow”

  1. pamela says:

    Nice haiku Madeleine.

  2. Travis says:

    I find that my impetus for starting any new poem often comes from the least likely of places. I like the unexpected inspiration that starts with an odd word or a short phrase.

  3. Madeleine,
    A very nice Haiku, recalling a child’s memory of shadows.

    Best wishes,
    Eileen

  4. Ella says:

    I love the beauty of this Haiku~

  5. Steve Nance says:

    What a lovely image. I had all but forgotten that that poem, and the book, were part of my early childhood, too.

  6. madkane says:

    Thanks so much everyone for your kind comments. And Steve, I’m glad to hear that you too were influenced by that poem and book. Thanks!

  7. Veralynne Pepper says:

    Enjoyed this reference very much, as well. Thanks for that.

  8. Veralynne Pepper says:

    I loved a snowman
    Brought him indoors one cold day
    He disappeared–gone!

    That’s a reflection of the first poem I memorized:

    The Snowman

    Once there was a snowman
    Stood outside the door
    Thought he’d like to come inside
    And play about the floor
    Thought he’d like to warm himself
    By the firelight red
    Thought he’d like to climb up on
    The big, wide bed.
    So, the North wind came along
    And blew him in the door.
    Now there’s nothing left of him
    But a puddle on the floor.

    How terribly sad!!! At 4 or 5 I appreciated the joke. When I got older, I felt the melancholy. Tsk!

  9. JTS says:

    I loved this, Mad Kane! The memories of parents sharing a love for reading and books is close to my heart. I can visualize the little girl you speak of! Thank you for your comment on Monday Memories, I added this wonderful haiku to the Mr. Linky list so that others could come and enjoy it also! I hope you’ll drop by with another memory to share next week. :-)

  10. madkane says:

    Thanks so much Veralynne and JTS!

  11. That was one of my favourite books as a child. Thank you for reminding me. I hacw a grand-daughter’s birthday coming up.

  12. madkane says:

    You’re welcome, Vivienne. That definitely would make a great gift!