I have long been a huge lover of all things poetry, and I have yet to read a book, or collection of poems that I did not enjoy wholeheartedly.
Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends, proved to be no different for me. I had the honor of spotting the 40 year collector’s edition, as seen in the book photo below, on shelf of my local thrift store’s book section and I could not pass it up! (It only cost me $1!)
As quick and effortless books of poetry can be, I think that’s what makes them so entertaining and timeless. Silverstein had a way of putting such simple ideas and words together to form such eloquent, fun, innocent, and at the same time full of depth, poems that I can’t imagine any reader not loving them.
Source: Amazon
The entire book is comprised of only 176 pages (it was such a sad occasion for me when I knew I was nearing the end) though I found myself savoring each and every poem. Some I even re-read a few times just for an extra laugh or smile.
I have yet to read the other works of the modern-classic poet, and I have always had a desire to, though now I absolutely have to devour everything I can get my hands on of his. I found the writing style to be inviting, captivating, and influential in bringing the reader back to much more simpler, innocent times when perhaps the only worry one had was deciding how to eat a humongous stack of pancakes without them toppling over.
If you are a fan of poetry, whether it be Free-verse, Sonnets, or Haikus, I highly recommend this iconic work. It’s fresh and can easily be read in one sitting.
Though, trust me, you won’t want it to be over that quickly.
Other Works By Shel Silverstein:
YouTube Channel: farpman
Featured image via Bustle
