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.
Tags: Childhood Memories, Children's Poetry, Father, Haiku & Senryu, Inspiration, My Shadow, Parents, Poetry & Prompts, Poets United, Robert Louis Stevenson
Nice haiku Madeleine.
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.
Madeleine,
A very nice Haiku, recalling a child’s memory of shadows.
Best wishes,
Eileen
I love the beauty of this Haiku~
What a lovely image. I had all but forgotten that that poem, and the book, were part of my early childhood, too.
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!
Enjoyed this reference very much, as well. Thanks for that.
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!
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. :-)
Thanks so much Veralynne and JTS!
That was one of my favourite books as a child. Thank you for reminding me. I hacw a grand-daughter’s birthday coming up.
You’re welcome, Vivienne. That definitely would make a great gift!