Shel Silverstein
By: Rohan Lalapet
Shel Silverstein
Early life
Mr. Silverstein went and graduated from a high school by the name of Roosevelt High School. After high school Silverstein went to the Art Institute of Chicago but dropped out later to serve in the military. He served in Japan and Korea. He received praise for his famous "Take Ten" cartoon series. This cartoon series was later put into a book that was very successful. He also included daily events from the life of a soldier.
A Cartoonist's Career
The Days of an Author
The Career of a Poet
Days of a Musician, Movie Maker, and Theater
Awards and Literary Distinctions
Poems
It’s Dark In Here
I am writing these poems
From inside a lion,
And it’s rather dark in here.
So please excuse the handwriting
Which may not be too clear.
But this afternoon by the lion’s cage
I’m afraid I got too near.
And I’m writing these lines
From inside a lion,
And it’s rather dark in here.
Literary Devices Used: Rhyme, Hyperbole, Theme, Tone, Mood
Why I chose this Poem: I chose this poem because I liked the idea that Shel Silverstein was conveying to the reader of him writing the poem inside of the lion and trying to make sure that the reader understands that his handwriting is bad because the inside of the lion is pretty dark.
Homemade Boat
This boat that we just built is just fine—
And don’t try to tell us it’s not.
The sides and the back are divine—
It’s the bottom I guess we forgot. . . .
~Shel Silverstein
Literary Devices: Rhyme, Theme, Tone, Mood
Why I Chose this Poem: I chose this poem because it was short and sweet and had a humorous meaning to it. It also had a big surprise at the end because they forgot the bottom.
The Acrobats
I’ll swing
By my ankles,
She’ll cling
To your knees
As you hang
By your nose
from a high-up
Trapeze.
But just one thing, please,
As we float through the breeze—
Don’t sneeze
~Shel Silverstein
Literary Devices: Rhyme, Tone, Mood, Theme
Why I Chose this Poem: I chose this poem because of the playfulness in it along with the rhymes. The rhymes and the theme both make the poem fun and enjoyable.
Captain Hook
Captain Hook must remember
Not to scratch his toes.
Captain Hook must watch out
And never pick his nose.
Captain Hook must be gentle
When he shakes your hand.
Captain Hook must be carful
Openin’ sardine cans
And playing tag and pouring tea
And turin’ pages of his book.
Lots of folks I’m glad I ain’t—
But mostly Captain Hook!
~Shel Silverstein
Literary Devices: Rhyme, Tone, Mood, Theme
Why I Chose this Poem: I chose this poem because the rhyme scheme is very applicable to a real world situation. Another reason I liked this poem is because these are things that Captain Hook actually had to watch out for.
I Must Remember
I must remember . . .
Turkey on Thanksgiving,
Pudding on Christmas,
Eggs on Easter,
Chicken on Sunday,
Fish on Friday,
Leftovers, Monday,
But ah, me—I’m such a dunce.
I went and ate them all at once.
~Shel Silverstein
Literary Devices: Alliteration, Rhyme, Hyperbole, Tone, Mood, Theme
Why I Chose this Poem: I chose this poem because it reminds me of all the good things that we eat when the holiday season comes up. I also like how Shel Silverstein is able to rhyme and say that he ate all those things at once.
The Loser
Mama said I’d lose my head
If it wasn’t fastened on.
Today I guess it wasn’t
‘Cause while playing with my cousin
It fell off and rolled away
And now it’s gone.
And I can’t look for it
‘Cause my eyes are in it,
And I can’t call to it
‘Cause my mouth is on it
(Couldn’t hear me anyway
‘Cause my ears are on it),
Can’t even think about it
‘Cause my brain is in it.
So I guess I’ll sit down
On this rock
And rest for just a minute….
~Shel Silverstein
Literary devices: Hyperbole, Tone, Mood, Theme, Repetition
Why I Chose this Poem: I chose this poem because I thought the idea of losing your head was a weird idea. I also thought the description of the missing senses were creative and inquisitive. I also thought that the rock the character is sitting on might be his head.
Early Bird
Oh, if you’re a bird, be an early bird
And catch the worm for your breakfast plate.
If you’re a bird, be an early early bird—
But if you’re a worm, sleep late.
~Shel Silverstein
Literary Devices: Personification, Tone, Mood, Theme
Why I Chose this poem: I chose this poem because I liked the advice the poet gives the two creatures.
Nope
I put a piece of cantaloupe
Underneath the microscope.
I saw a million strange things sleepin’,
I saw a zillion weird things creepin’,
I saw some green things twist and bend–
I won’t eat cantaloupe again.
~Shel Silverstein
Literary Devices: Tone, Mood, Imagery, Theme, Rhyme
Why I Chose this Poem: I chose this poem because it makes perfect sense why Shel Silverstein doesn't like cantaloupes. Since we all have some foods which we dislike, I decided to include this poem.
Falling Up
I tripped on my shoelace
And I fell up—
Up to the roof tops,
Up over the town,
Up past the tree tops,
Up over the mountains,
Up where the colors
Blend into the sounds.
But it got me so dizzy
When I looked around,
I got sick to my stomach
And I threw down.
~Shel Silverstein
Literary Devices: Repetition, Tone, Mood, Theme
Why I Chose this Poem: I always wanted to read this poem since I first saw the book, now finally I got the chance to read it.
How Not to Have to Dry the Dishes
If you have to dry the dishes
(Such an awful, boring chore)
If you have to dry the dishes
(‘Stead of going to the store)
If you have to dry the dishes
And you drop one on the floor—
Maybe they won’t let you
Dry the dishes anymore.
~Shel Silverstein
Literary Devices: Rhyme, Alliteration , Tone, Mood, Theme
Why I Chose this Poem: I chose this poem because that chore is really awful, so it is something I can relate to. I also chose this poem because it gives me some ideas to be creative.
Conclusion
Bibliography
- Sandler, Eric. "Shel Silverstein Was Actually a Playboy Columnist for over 40 Years." AOL.COM. AOL Inc., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.
- "Where the Sidewalk Ends." Goodreads. Goodreads Inc., n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.
- "Shel Silverstein Biography." - Sheldon Allan Silverstein Childhood, Life & Timeline. FamousPeople, n.d. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.
- "The Sidewalk Continues: Shel Silverstein Is Getting a Biopic." Entertain This. USA Today, 22 July 2014. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.
- "Give and Take -." The Good Men Project. GoodMenProject.com, 05 Sept. 2010. Web. 21 Sept. 2015.