Literary Birthday – 25 September – Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein was born on 25 September 1930 and died on 10 May 1999.

Shel Silverstein Quotes

1. Listen to the 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.
2. But all the magic I have known I’ve had to make myself.
3. When the light turns green, you go. When the light turns red, you stop. But what do you do when the light turns blue with orange and lavender spots?
4. Never explain what you do. It speaks for itself. You only muddle it by talking about it.
5. Although I cannot see your face As you flip these poems awhile, Somewhere from some far-off place I hear you laughing–and I smile.
6. If you want to find out what a writer or a cartoonist really feels, look at his work. That’s enough.
7. And all the colours I am inside have not been invented yet.
8. There are no happy endings. Endings are the saddest part, So just give me a happy middle And a very happy start.
9. When I am gone what will you do? Who will write and draw for you? Someone smarter–someone new? Someone better–maybe YOU!

Shel Silverstein was an American poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, screenwriter, and author of children’s books. His works include Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Giving Tree, and A Boy Named Sue. He is best known for his light verse and quirky drawings for young readers. Silverstein avoided happy or moralistic endings because children, he said, might otherwise wonder why they were not comparably happy. His books have been translated into more than 30 languages, and have sold over 20 million copies. He was also an accomplished playwright. His credits include the hits The Lady or the Tiger and The Devil and Billy Markham. Many of his songs were covered by artists such as Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Bobby Bare, Marianne Faithfull, and Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show. Silverstein’s honours include his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame in 2014. He was given the Poet’s Award by the Academy of Country Music in 2017.

Source for photograph: Author’s Website

by Amanda Patterson
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