Where The Sidewalk Ends - Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.
Background Information
This poem was written by Shel Silverstein, an american poet, in 1974 (Post-modern). This poem is the title piece of his book of children's stories called "Where The Sidewalk Ends". Silverstein was a famous children's author and his poem "Where The Sidewalk Ends" also refers to children.
Meaning Behind Poem
Even though Silverstein's book of children's stories is for children, the title poem is actually aimed for adults. The poem is saying that adults live in a dark and dreary world "sidewalk" while the children live in joy and fun. Shel Silverstein implies that adults should leave the "sidewalk" and start living in the mindset of children. Where the sidewalk ends.
Literary Devices Used In Poem
Where The Sidewalk Ends is a 16-verse poem with 3 stanzas. The first two stanzas have the same rhyme scheme but the third one doesn't because it is in a way a repeat of the last four lines of stanza 2. (ABCCCB DAEEEA EEEA) This entire poem is an extended metaphor of life describing the place the sidewalk ends as a place full of joy. Silverstein masterfully uses imagery in the entire poem. He describes the sidewalk and the place where it ends with very descriptive words that makes the readers visualize the place. Another literary device used in the poem is enjambment. Silverstein uses the device five times in the poem. Finally Silverstein also uses alliteration of the letter "b" and repetition of "children" to emphasize his point.
Why Did I Choose This Poem
I chose this poem because it simply has a wonderful meaning. It is a metaphor of the current world. I believe the world does run the way Silverstein implies. When I was a younger than I am now, I was always happy, never any stress and no future contemplations. However as I grew up, I started entering the "sidewalk". I believe we should all at times take a step back and live like children, in a land full of joy and happiness - where the sidewalk ends.