Some of my favorite memories from elementary school was when the teacher would read us stories as we sat on the infamous ABC rug. I would hang on every word of classic children’s books like " If You Give A Mouse A Cookie" or "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." However, some of the books that stuck with me as I grew up were the poetry books by Shel Silverstein. As a child, I loved reading his poems because of the funny topics and illustrations, but the true meaning behind some of the poems would sometimes get lost in translation. Since I was so young, some his Silverstein’s more serious poems went right over my head. Upon revisiting those poems now, Silverstein wrote for far more than children. Here are a few of my favorite poems that struck a different chord with me now that I am older.

1. Masks

Reading this poem as a child, I remember only paying attention to the illustration, but it says so much more the dramatized masks.

2. Whatif

Silverstein ties in silly things to worry about in the poem, like green hair or a shrinking head, but reading the poem now, I realize just how relatable the poem actually is.

3. Tell Me

Upon first glance, I just thought the illustration was weird and the poem did not make much sense to me. Now I see the poem speaks on a very human contradiction about seeking affection while simultaneously seeking the truth.

4. Forgotten Language

This poem did not make sense to me as a child, and I easily skipped over it and moved onto the ones I deemed funnier. Reading it now it makes me think of how easily we as people get lost in our daily lives and lose touch with nature and our imagination.

5. The Thinker of Tender Thoughts

This piece does not even need words to speak volumes. I never thought much of it as a child, but it says so much about conformation in today's society.

Shel Silverstein has a special way of enchanting all audiences through his beautiful and charming poetry.