Shel Silverstein, the most famous of children’s poets, died in 1999 but his family has collected some of his unpublished poems and is releasing a new book called Everything On It.
His poetry is so much fun I thought I would share a few from the new book. Enjoy!
Every Thing On It
Shel Silverstein
I asked for a hot dog
With everything on it
And that was my big mistake,
‘Cause it came with a parrot,
A bee and a bonnet,
A wristwatch, a wrench, and a rake.
It came with a goldfish,
A flag, and a fiddle,
A frog, and a front porch swing.
And a mouse in a mask—
That’s the last time I ask
For a hot dog with everything.
Italian Food
Shel Silverstein
Oh, how I love Italian food.
I eat it all the time,
Not just 'cause how good it tastes
But 'cause how good it rhymes.
Minestrone, cannelloni,
Macaroni, rigatoni,
Spaghettini, scallopini,
Escarole, braciole,
Insalata, cremolata, manicotti,
Marinara, carbonara,
Shrimp francese, Bolognese,
Ravioli, mostaccioli,
Mozzarella, tagliatelle,
Fried zucchini, rollatini,
Fettuccine, green linguine,
Tortellini, Tetrazzini,
Oops—I think I split my jeani.
Frightened
Shel Silverstein
"There are kids underneath my bed,"
Cried little baby monster Fred.
Momma monster smiled. "Oh, Fred,
There's no such things as kids," she said.
Cried little baby monster Fred.
Momma monster smiled. "Oh, Fred,
There's no such things as kids," she said.
