Workin’ It Out by Shel Silverstein
Well I’ve been spendin’ my life lookin’ for a shoulder To rest my head when the nights get colder But the days are gettin’ longer and I’m gettin’ older Been long time workin’ it out I been a long time workin’ it out I been a long time workin’ it out I been a long […]
Who’s Taller? by Shel Silverstein
Depends on if the judge is fair, Depends how high the heels you wear, Depends on if they count the hair, Depends if they allow the chair. ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry Monster, 2021. Poems by topic and subject. Poetry Monster — the ultimate repository of world poetry. Poetry […]
Who does she think she is…. by Shel Silverstein
I asked the Zebra: Are you black with white stripes? Or white with black stripes? And the zebra asked me: Are you good with bad habits? Or are you bad with good habits? Are you noisy with quiet times? Or are you quiet with noisy times? Are you happy with some sad days? Or are […]
Tryin’ On Clothes by Shel Silverstein
I tried on the farmer’s hat, Didn’t fit… A little too small – just a bit Too floppy. Couldn’t get used to it, Took it off. I tried on the dancer’s shoes, A little too loose. Not the kind you could use for walkin’. Didn’t feel right in ’em, Kicked ’em off. I tried on […]
The Worlds Greatest Smoke Off by Shel Silverstein
In the laid back California town of sunny San Raphael Lived a girl named Pearly Sweetcake, You probably knew her well She was stoned 15 of her 18 years And her story was widely told, That she could smoke ’em faster Than any dude could roll Well her legend finally reached New York That grove […]
The Voice by Shel Silverstein
There is a voice inside of you that whispers all day long, “I feel that this is right for me, I know that this is wrong.” No teacher, preacher, parent, friend or wise man can decide what’s right for you – just listen to the voice that speaks inside. ————— The End And that’s the […]
The Sitter by Shel Silverstein
Mrs. McTwitter was the baby-sitter I think she’s a little bit crazy. She thinks a baby-sitter’s supposed To sit upon the baby. ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry Monster, 2021. Poems by topic and subject. Poetry Monster — the ultimate repository of world poetry. Poetry Monster — the multilingual library […]
The Perfect Wave by Shel Silverstein
Dave McGunn was a surfin’ bum, half-crazed by the blazin’ sun. From Waikiki to the Bering Sea, he rode ’em one by one. Now he hung offshore ’bout a mile or more, out where the dolphins played, And his wild eyes gleamed as he schemed and dreamed To ride the perfect wave. Oh, ride the […]
The Oak and the Rose by Shel Silverstein
An oak tree and a rosebush grew, Young and green together, Talking the talk of growing things- Wind and water and weather. And while the rosebush sweetly bloomed The oak tree grew so high That now it spoke of newer things- Eagles, mountain peaks and sky. “I guess you think you’re pretty great,” The rose […]
The Monkey by Shel Silverstein
1 little monkey was goin’ 2 the store when he saw a banana 3 he’d never climbed be4. By 5 o’clock that evenin’ he was 6 with a stomach ache ’cause 7 green bananas was what that monkey 8. By 9 o’clock that evenin’ that monkey was quite ill, so 10 we called the doctor […]
The Little Boy And The 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, […]
The Land Of Happy by Shel Silverstein
Have you been to the land of happy, Where everyone’s happy all day, Where they joke and they sing Of the happiest things, And everything’s jolly and gay? There’s no one unhappy in Happy There’s laughter and smiles galore. I have been to The Land of Happy- What a bore ————— The End And that’s […]
The Hunter by Shel Silverstein
I have fought against the poodle with his gory, deadly paws; I have faced the fearsome kitten, wild and bony, And somehow I’ve evaded the enormous chomping jaws Of the frighteningly ferocious Shetland pony. My triumph o’er the rabbit is now sung throughout the land, And men still speak in whispers of the day When, […]
The Generals by Shel Silverstein
Said General Clay to General Gore, “Oh must we fight this silly war? To kill and die is such a bore.” “I quite agree,” said General Gore. Said General Gore to General Clay, “We could go to the beach today And have some ice cream on the way.” “A grand idea,” said General Clay. Said […]
The Bridge by Shel Silverstein
This bridge will only take you halfway there To those mysterious lands you long to see: Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fairs And moonlit woods where unicorns run free. So come and walk awhile with me and share The twisting trails and wondrous worlds I’ve known. But this bridge will only take you halfway […]
The Bear, The Fire, And The Snow by Shel Silverstein
“I live in fear of the snow,” said the bear. “Whenever it’s here, be sure I’ll be there. Oh, the pain and the cold, when one’s bearish and old. I live in fear of the snow.” “I live in fear of the fire,” said the snow. “Whenever it comes then it’s time I must go. […]
Testing The Bomb by Shel Silverstein
Oh they’re testing the bomb as I’m singing this song They say not to worry cause nothing can go wrong They’re testing the bomb as I’m singing this song They say not to worry cause nothing can ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry Monster, 2021. Poems by topic and subject. […]
Sylvia’s Mother by Shel Silverstein
Sylvia’s mother says Sylvia’s busy, too busy to come to the phone . Sylvia’s mother says Sylvia’s trying to start a new life of her own. Sylvia’s mother says “Sylvia’s happy… So why don’t you leave her alone?” And the operator says “Forty cents more, for the next three minutes.” Please Mrs. Avery, I’ve just […]
Someone Ate The Baby by Shel Silverstein
Someone ate the baby it’s rather sad to say Someone ate the baby so she won’t be out to play We’ll never hear her whiney cry or have to feel if she is dry We’ll never hear her asking why why why someone ate the baby Someone ate the baby it’s absolutely clear Someone ate […]
Someday’s Here by Shel Silverstein
Well I’ve told you someday I’d have a lotta money And you would see me grinnin’ from ear to ear Look in my pocket this ain’t gabbage that I’m foldin’ baby Oh oh someday’s here And I told you someday I’ll come driving up your driveway In a Cadillac that stretched across from here to […]
Somebody Has To by Shel Silverstein
Somebody has to go polish the stars, They’re looking a little bit dull. Somebody has to go polish the stars, For the eagles and starlings and gulls Have all been complaining they’re tarnished and worn, They say they want new ones we cannot afford. So please get your rags And your polishing jars, Somebody has […]
Smoke Off by Shel Silverstein
In the laid back California town of sunny San Raphael Lived a girl named Pearly Sweetcake you probly knew her well Shed been stoned fifteen of her eighteen years and the story was widely told That she could smoke ’em faster than anyone could roll Her legend finally reached New York that Grove Street walk-up […]
Sing Me A Rainbow by Shel Silverstein
Josie it´s been a long hard day Down the road to where it´s at I must have lost my way When I got there they said I was too late Now you´re the only one can get me straight So won´t you sing me a rainbow Josie Roll me a song Just tonight make it […]
Show It At The Beach by Shel Silverstein
Oh they won’t let us show it at the beach no they won’t let us show it at the beach They think we’re gonna grab it if it gets within our reach And they won’t let us show it at the beach But you can show it in your parlor to most anyone you choose […]
Sarah Cynthia Slyvia Stout Would Not Take The Garbage Out by Shel Silverstein
Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would not take the garbage out! She’d scour the pots and scrape the pans, Candy the yams and spice the hams, And though her daddy would scream and shout, She simply would not take the garbage out. And so it piled up to the ceilings: Coffee grounds, potato peelings, Brown Bananas, […]
Ring Of Grass by Shel Silverstein
Rings of grass crowns of flowers they’re gone gone gone gone Furs that I woven of whispering hours gone gone gone gone She’s gone away where the rings are real And the furs have warmth that a woman can feel Round and round round goes the wheel And she’s gone gone gone gone gone Rings […]
Recipe For A Hippopotamus Sandwich by Shel Silverstein
A hippo sandwich is easy to make. All you do is simply take One slice of bread, One slice of cake, Some mayonnaise One onion ring, One hippopotamus One piece of string, A dash of pepper – That ought to do it. And now comes the problem… Biting into it! ————— The End And that’s […]
Put Something In by Shel Silverstein
Draw a crazy picture, Write a nutty poem, Sing a mumble-grumble song, Whistle through your comb. Do a loony-goony dance ‘Cross the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the world That ain’t been there before. ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry Monster, 2021. Poems by topic and subject. Poetry Monster […]
Pathetic Way Of Getting Over Me by Shel Silverstein
Oh if you read in the papers that she’s been seen A gettin’ in an out of some millionare’s long custom made limousine She may fool you with her smile but I can see That’s just her poor hopeless heartless helpless pathetic way of gettin’ over me So you were down at Joe’s on the […]
Never Bite A Married Woman On The Thigh by Shel Silverstein
Never bite a married woman on the thigh oh my Cause she just can’t rub it off no matter how she’ll try And when she gets home at night her man will ask her why Then she’ll say it’s just a birthmark or some other silly lie But he’ll get suspicious and then he will […]
Morgan’s Curse by Shel Silverstein
Followin’ the trail on the old treasure map, I came to the spot that said “Dig right here.” And four feet down my spade struck wood Just where the map said a chest would appear. But carved in the side were written these words: “A curse upon he who disturbs this gold.” Signed, Morgan the […]
Melinda Mae by Shel Silverstein
Have you heard of tiny Melinda Mae, Who ate a monstrous whale? She thought she could, She said she would, So she started in right at the tail. And everyone said,”You’re much too small,” But that didn’t bother Melinda at all, She took little bites and she shewed very slow, Just like a little girl […]
Mama I’ll Sing One For You by Shel Silverstein
I’ve sung my songs on dusty roads and dirty city sidewalks To sweatin’ hard eyed brakemen, in the rail yards I rolled through I’ve sung in blue wall papered rooms to girls I played at lovin’ Now Mama…I’ll sing one song for you Mama let me tell you that I’ve never lost the mem’ry Of […]
Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony by Shel Silverstein
There was a girl named Abigail Who was taking a drive Through the country With her parents When she spied a beautiful sad-eyed Grey and white pony. And next to it was a sign That said, FOR SALE-CHEAP. “Oh,” said Abigail, “May I have that pony? May I please?” And her parents said, “No you […]
Listen To The Mustn’ts by Shel Silverstein
Listen to Mustn’ts, child, listen to the Don’ts. Listen to the Shouldn’ts, the Impossibles, the Won’ts. Listen to the Never Haves, then listen close to me. Anything can happen, child, Anything can be. ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry Monster, 2021. Poems by topic and subject. Poetry Monster — the […]
I’ve Been Working So Hard by Shel Silverstein
I’ve been working so hard you just wouldn’t believe, And I’m tired! There’s so little time and so much to achieve, And I’m tired! I’ve been lying here holding the grass in its place, Pressing a leaf with the side of my face, Tasting the apples to see if they’re sweet, Counting the toes on […]
In The Hills Of Shiloh by Shel Silverstein
Have you seen Amanda Blaine in the hills of Shiloh Wandering through the morning rain through the hills of Shiloh Have you seen her at her door, listening for the cannon’s roar And a man who went to war from the hills of Shiloh Have you heard her mournful cries in the hills of Shiloh […]
If The World Was Crazy by Shel Silverstein
If the world was crazy, you know what I’d eat? A big slice of soup and a whole quart of meat, A lemonade sandwich, and then I might try Some roasted ice cream or a bicycle pie, A nice notebook salad, and underwear roast, An omelet of hats and some crisp cardboard toast, A thick […]
If I Had A Brontosaurus by Shel Silverstein
If I had a brontosaurus I would name him Morris or Horace; But if suddenly one day he had a lot of little brontosauri I would change his name to Laurie. ————— The End And that’s the End of the Poem © Poetry Monster, 2021. Poems by topic and subject. Poetry Monster — the ultimate repository […]
I Can’t Touch The Sun by Shel Silverstein
No I can’t touch the clouds for you I’ve never reached the sun for you I’ve never done the things that you need done for you I’ve stretched as high as I can reach I guess I’m not the one for you Cause I can’t touch the clouds or reach the sun for you No […]