Friendship
I’ve discovered a way to stay friends forever—
There’s really nothing to it.
I simply tell you what to do
And you do it!
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Friendship
Said the little boy, Sometimes I drop my spoon.
Said the little old man, I do that too.
The little boy whispered, I wet my pants.
I do too, laughed the old man.
Said the little boy, I often cry.
The old man nodded. So do I.
But worst of all, said the boy, it seems
Grown-ups don’t pay attention to me.
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
I know what you mean, said the little old man.
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Understanding
If the track is tough and the hill is rough, THINKING you can just ain’t enough!
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Thinking, Achievement
Listen to the mustn’ts, child.
Listen to the don’ts.
Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts.
Listen to the never haves,
then listen close to me…
Anything can happen, child.
Anything can be.
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Listening, Opportunity
I will not play at tug o’ war.
I’d rather play at hug o’ war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Peace
If you are a dreamer come in
If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar
A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer
If youre a pretender com sit by my fire
For we have some flax golden tales to spin
Come in!
Come in!
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Dreams
All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
Layin’ in the sun,
Talkin’ bout the things They woulda-coulda-shoulda done…
But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little did.
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Action
Oh the thumb-sucker’s thumb
May look wrinkled and wet
And withered, and white as the snow,
But the taste of a thumb
Is the sweetest taste yet
(As only we thumb-sucker’s know).
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Habits
Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-gumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
‘Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain’t been there before.
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Poetry
He has the obligation to society that any human being has. I don’t think a satirist has any greater obligation to society than a bricklayer or anybody else.
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Obligation
I asked the zebra,
Are you black with white strips?.
Or white with black strips?.
And the zebra asked me,
Are you good with bad habits?.
Or are you bad with good habits?.
Are you noisy with quiet times?.
Or are you quiet with noisy times?.
Are you happy with sad days?.
Or are you sad with happy days?.
Are you neat with some sloppy ways?.
Or are you sloppy with some neat ways?.
And on and on and on and on
And on and on he went.
I’ll never ask a zebra
About stripes
Again.
—Shel Silverstein
Topics: Questions
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Theodor Seuss Geisel (‘Dr. Seuss’) American Children’s Books Writer
- Isaac Bashevis Singer Polish-born American Children’s Books Writer
- Marie Chapian American Christian Writer
- Phyllis McGinley American Children’s Books Writer
- Carl Sandburg American Poet, Historian
- Russell Hoban American Author
- Nikki Giovanni American Poet, Writer
- Elizabeth Prentiss American Children’s Books Writer
- Diane Ackerman American Poet, Naturalist
- Jamie Lee Curtis American Film Actress
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