Sunday, September 25, 2011

Celebrating Shel Silverstein


Image by Salvatore Vuono via freedigitalphotos.net

He was a rhymer of flax-golden tales,
'bout things as silly as biting your nails
but when he was young he dreamt of baseball
not writing for children - no, not at all.

He drew cartoons to "Take Ten" in the war.
When he got back, for Playboy he drew more.
He wrote and drew for them quite a long time,
then wrote for kids.  No one cared.  It was fine.

He was a singer and writer of songs,
a dreamer of dreams where rights reverse wrongs,
a recluse rock star who shared his talent,
with those who knew his lyrics were valiant.

He was and is and he always will be
a source of much inspiration for me.
Though not alive to celebrate today,
I'd like to wish Shel a Happy Birthday.

© Rachel Hoyt 2011.  All rights reserved.


for Shel Silverstein
September 25, 1930 - May 10, 1999


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19 comments:

  1. ayalaSeptember 25, 2011 at 5:33 AM

    What a great tribute. Nicely done. I just noticed that he passed away on May 10th, so did my dad. Another year but still.

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  2. Bryan WhiteSeptember 25, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    I loved Shel Silverstein, and A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends more times then I can remember as a kid. Unfortunately, I don't own a copy of either now, but I think you've persuaded me that I should buy them at the next opportunity.

    I remember the illustrations were always kind of freaky. I'm assuming Silverstein didn't draw those himself. Do you know who did?

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  3. Bryan WhiteSeptember 25, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    that should be "...and I Read A Light in the Attic.."

    The typo gremlins are out in full force today.

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  4. Pat HattSeptember 25, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    Really nice tribute today
    Such fun rhyme play
    Sure it would be appreciated
    And never depreciated

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  5. LolamouseSeptember 25, 2011 at 8:41 AM

    Thanks for the tribute to one of my favorite authors and poets! I always buy Shel Silverstein books for kids to introduce them to poetry and get them hooked!

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  6. Rachel HoytSeptember 25, 2011 at 9:47 AM

    @ayala - They actually aren't certain what day Shel died because no one was there. He died alone of a heart attack. :(

    @Bryan - Those drawings were Shel's also. They look less creepy now that I'm older. I don't have most of the books these days either (but get them from the library a lot). I'm building my collection slowly. :)

    @Pat Hatt - I hope Shel and his family feel the love and that he's smiling down from above. :)

    @Lolamouse - I couldn't skip Shel's birthday! I missed it last year and was super sad. :P

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  7. Madeleine Begun KaneSeptember 25, 2011 at 11:44 AM

    Fun poem and lovely tribute!

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  8. Joey PolanskiSeptember 25, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    On this day, we might as well be

    Writing rhymes for Uncle Shelby.

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  9. Rachel HoytSeptember 26, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    @Madeleine - Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

    @Joey Polanski - I totally agree Mr. Polanski. :)

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  10. BubbaSeptember 26, 2011 at 7:16 AM

    Shel Silverstein is great! My favorite is "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out"

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  11. BlogNosticsSeptember 26, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    there was a time when i couldn't understand then there is now where i can with the at hand...

    Happy Birthday Mate

    And Cheers RH

    A

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  12. Martha Jane OrlandoSeptember 26, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    Love, love, love your poem! You described this talented man perfectly. :)
    Blessings!

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  13. JIMSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:16 AM

    My wife was a teacher and loves Shel nice remembrance

    http://jpweddingphotograpy.blogspot.com/2011/09/photographing-street-entertainers.html

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  14. Rachel HoytSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    @Eric 'Bubba' Alder - I'm not sure I could pick ONE favorite, but I really really like "Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out". :)

    @BlogNostics - I'm glad that now you can understand, the wisdom that comes from Shel's rhyming hand. :)

    @Martha - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! He was definitely multi-talented. :)

    @Jim - Thanks for reading! I'm glad you (and your wife?) enjoyed the tribute. :)

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  15. Dangerous LindaSeptember 27, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    Very sweet. I did not realize he wrote for Playboy but I love your comment about that: "No one cared. It was fine." haha!

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  16. ScarletSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:12 PM

    Thanks for sharing that bit of info about Shel... a dreamer of dreams.. i like this line.

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  17. Brian MillerSeptember 27, 2011 at 7:39 PM

    shel is awesome! def an early inspiration for me in my poetry...he always left me with a smile...great tribute....

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  18. Rachel HoytSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:04 AM

    @Dangerous Linda - I'm glad you like the way I wrote that! It's pretty awesome that no one seems to know. :)

    @Heaven - Thank you! That's one of my favorite lines in this one too. :)

    @Brian - I'm glad you enjoyed the tribute! Shel IS awesome. :)

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  19. Chronicles of IllusionsSeptember 29, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    this is a great tribute - love it

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Rhyming or not, I would like a lot to hear the thoughts my words brought...

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