Since I discovered some of his works back in the High School library, a long long time ago, in a school not so far away... (forgive me, I couldn't resist), Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) has become one of, if not my favorite modern poet. His style is unique, giving a certain character to his works that appeal to children and adults alike. I am only familiar with the books he's written and illustrated for children. But during my little expedition in the World Wide Web to try to discover more about him, I found out that he's also a composer and a recording artist, and is great with a guitar! Wow! :)

According to Sely Friday's compiled information about Mr. Silverstein, he was born Sheldon Allan Silverstein on September 25, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Interesting how he says his writing and drawing started....

"When I was a kid-- 12, 14, around there-- I would much rather have been a good baseball player or a hit with the girls. But I couldn't play ball, I couldn' t dance. Luckily, the girls didn't want me; not much I could do about that. So, I started to draw and to write. I was also lucky that I didn't have anybody to copy, be impressed by. I had developed my own style, I was creating before I knew there was a Thurber, a Benchley, a Price and a Steinberg. I never saw their work till I was around 30. By the time I got to where I was attracting girls, I was already into work, and it was more important to me. Not that I wouldn't rather make love, but the work has become a habit."
-- (Jean F. Mercier. "Shel Silverstein," Publishers Weekly, February 24, 1975).

My favorite book of his should be Where the Sidewalk Ends, where I found some of my favorite poems. Some of them are just downright funny and silly, and some actually seem to have some deeper meaning.... That's part of his charm, I guess.

I remember this as the first Silverstein poem I ever read:

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Magic

Sandra's seen a leprechaun
Eddie touched a troll
Laurie danced with witches once
Charlie found some goblins gold
Donald heard a mermaid sing
Susy spied an elf
But all the magic I have known
I've had to make myself

===

I'm off to find more poems!




.:chronicled by senator skywalker at 10:05:00 PM:.
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