For those of you who don't know, Mr. Silverstein wrote children's poetry and authored books such as, Where The Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic. I loved these books as a child, and I now read them to my son. His poetry was never dull, was full of sarcasm, and made the adult reader think. (It wasn't until I was an adult that I understood the underlying meaning to most of his poems.)

Did you know that he wrote the songs, A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash, The Unicorn, a St. Patrick's Day favorite, and The Pill by Loretta Lynn? He also wrote adult poetry and was a cartoonist for Playboy magazine before diving into children's poetry. He had a sharp wit and a beautiful ear for writing melodic, consonant poems.

I think everyone has that favorite Shel Silverstein poem that they remember from childhood. Remember, "I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor," or, "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout would not take the garbage out?" I know that everyone has heard, "I will not play a tug-o-war, I'd rather play a hug-o-war."

Personally, my favorite is Clooney the Clown. It is a poem about a clown who isn't funny. Then one day he tells everyone how bad he feels and how miserable his life has been because he cannot make people laugh. Then everyone laughs at him making him feel even worse. I know it sounds silly, but you'll just have to read it to understand.

I would recommend that everyone buy at least one of his books because even if you don't have children, his poetry will make you feel like a kid again. At least, check out one of his books from your local library and read it to a special kid in your life.

Because of my respect for the author's work, I will not publish any of his complete poems until I obtain permission from the proper persons. Actually, I was in the process of seeking permission when I learned the sad news of Mr. Silverstein's death. I will try to contact his publishers, Harper Collins, in order to put as many of his poems as they will allow on my site for everyone to enjoy. Until then, I implore you, get Where The Sidewalk Ends and think about the happiness Mr. Silverstein brought to you when you were a kid. Thank you.