Linguistic Intelligence 3 Poem Analysis Poet: Shel Silverstein By. Seung S. , Seewon K.

About Shel Silverstein Biography – Shel Silverstein is a poet, songwriter, story writer, composer, and etc. He had never studied literature neither writing poem. According Silverstein, he only read other people’s poem to learn to write a poem. He was born in September 25, 1930 in Illinois. His best work was poem ‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’

Where the Sidewalk ends By. Shel Silverstein There is a place where the sidewalk ends And before the street begins, And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright, And there the moon-bird rests from his flight To cool in the peppermint wind. Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black And the dark street winds and bends. Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And watch where the chalk-white arrows go To the place where the sidewalk ends. Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow, And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go, For the children, they mark, and the children, they know The place where the sidewalk ends.

‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ Analysis + Comment I think the place poem is describing is very free and nothing bad can happen. I think the author is describing the end of the sidewalk for any place such as dream, imaginary place, where one might like and more. Furthermore, it is very peaceful.

Rain By. Shel Silverstein I opened my eyes And looked up at the rain, And it dripped in my head And flowed into my brain, And all that I hear as I lie in my bed Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head. I step very softly, I walk very slow, I can't do a handstand--I might overflow, So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said— I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Rain Analysis & Comment I believe the poem is based on the poet, Shel Silverstein’s experience on a rainy day. I think he experienced a sad situation in rainy day as he depicts ‘I am just not the same since there is rain in my head’. It describes that he was in a depressing mood.

The Little Boy and Old Man By. Shel Silverstein Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon.” Said the old man, "I do that too. "The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants.” "I do that too," laughed the little 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.

‘The Little Boy and Old Man’ Analysis + Comment The poem describes a conversation between an old man and a boy talking about their behaviors. It mainly describes the acknowledgement and similarities of old man and the little boy such as dropping spoon. Even though, they are in different generation, they have something in common as their age differ much and old man has his old experience.