Sheldon Alan Silverstein (b. 25 Sep 1930ㅡd. 10 May 1999) was not only a great cartoonist but also a gifted hub of heart touching poems. He wrote fantastic poetry for children besides adults also keep on reading. But main importantly, today’s generation are still in love for his writings and drawings.
Being an Artist, Poet and Chicagoan, he was not just confined to his neighbours, states and his country but also his work travelled miles and published in many languages (more than 30 languages are the witness as on today). His book, “Where The Side Walk Ends”, is one of the famous. Thus, it was an actual world had begun for Silverstein.
Those days Shel’s cartoons were on cloud nine that Pacific Stars and Strips approached him and started working together. Nobody could say that military a man possess the heart of stones (they also could produce fun-loving poems that won the hearts of millions of kids and students of 19’s). It proved that a cadet can be also melted on feelings.
In the year 1957, ex-military man had become one of the leading cartoonists in Playboy magazine. His one of the famous books in the 1950 “Now Here is My Plan” had become best knows cartoon collection of the year.
Shel’s below quote is truly inspiring one that makes mankind think positively. However, It ended in the moral of karma that reflects like a mirror result. The man is equally responsible in contribution of the result of his karma. He gets the same thing in return what he had given to the human, animals or to the universe.
“How many slams in an old screen door? It depends on how loud you shut it. How many slices in bread? It depends on how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? It depends on how good you live ’em. How much love inside a friend? It depends on how much you give ’em.”
Shel Silverstein
His one of the famous poem, If You were only one inches tall is the most recognizable and one of his popular works. The poem takes us to those memories when we had an under-developing brain. We just got then a thought to mimic or act like our friends and family members.
Heading to school need a ride and Shel’s advice and thoughts make us remembers especially this poem.
When a kind just finish learning walking, feel the urge for swimming and when a small stomach feels no weight of a big cake that sweet soul wants to eat without breaks. The artistic mind of Silverstein awesomely placed the verity of worlds sequentially that evoke the feelings in the natural way. It travels and explores the nook of every poetry lovers.
Poem: “If You Were One Inches Long” by Shel Silverstein
If you were only one inch tall, you’d ride a worm to school.
The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool.
A crumb of cake would be a feast
And last you seven days at least,
A flea would be a frightening beast
If you were one inch tall, If you were only one inch tall, you’d walk beneath the door,
And it would take about a month to get down to the store.
A bit of fluff would be your bed,
You’d swing upon a spider’s thread,
And wear a thimble on your head
If you were one inch tall,
You’d surf across the kitchen sink upon a stick of gum.
You couldn’t hug your mama, you’d just have to hug her thumb.
You’d run from people’s feet in fright,
To move a pen would take all night,
(This poem took fourteen years to write–
‘Cause I’m just one inch tall).
- Also, Read Poem: “Bare Foot on Midsummer Eve” Sergei Yesenin
