Thursday, March 02, 2006

Poetry Thursday: "Forgotten Language" By Shel Silverstein

For PoetryThursday:

Forgotten Language
by Shel Silverstein

Once I spoke the language of the flowers,
Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,
Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings,
And shared a conversation with the housefly
in my bed.
Once I heard and answered all the questions
of the crickets,
And joined the crying of each falling dying
flake of snow,
Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . .
How did it go?
How did it go?

From: "Where The Sidewalk Ends," written by Shel Silverstein

13 Comments:

Blogger meghan said...

I love this - I LOVE Shel Silverstein. I think he is under-read and under rated. Thanks for sharing this - you've made my day!!

3/02/2006 4:55 PM  
Blogger GreenishLady said...

Think it's important for me to get to read more of his work. I love this. Thanks

3/02/2006 4:58 PM  
Blogger Shesawriter said...

This was a great poem. Reminds me of the stuff I used to remember and believe in as a child, but adulthood stole a big chunk of it. This also reminds me of that movie Polar Express where only the kids could hear Santa's bell. Adults, hardened by life, loose the ability.

Tanya

3/02/2006 7:58 PM  
Blogger gkgirl said...

ahhhhhhh...
i love this.
i don't have this book
although i have always
meant to get it...

great choice,
and funny that we both
picked one by him...
:)

3/02/2006 9:12 PM  
Blogger Jennifer S. said...

An amazing poem. Thanks for sharing it with me today.

3/02/2006 11:43 PM  
Blogger liz elayne lamoreux said...

how did it go?
oh this question haunts me this evening. incredible.
love that you shared this today. i am going to have to pull this book out and settle in with a cup of tea.

3/03/2006 1:21 AM  
Blogger daringtowrite said...

This is a new poem and a new poet for me, Cate. Thanks for the introduction.

3/03/2006 2:20 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

oh how i wish i could remember!

3/03/2006 7:53 AM  
Blogger Out Of Jersey said...

I love that book, me darling departed ma and I had a poem from their we used to share.

speaking of sharing, where are my knitted socks?

3/03/2006 11:36 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

He makes me so happy. When my Sparkly Girl was in 5th grade she wrote to him and he wrote back. It was a HUGE highlight for that school year.

3/03/2006 11:42 AM  
Blogger Ann Marie Simard said...

And I did not even know this! Thanks Cate! It's wonderful questioning on language... I'm forever there too.

Hugs

Ann Marie

3/03/2006 12:48 PM  
Blogger Cate said...

Doesn't he just make everyone happy????

Megg,
I'm so surprised that people weren't familiar with him. "Where The Sidewalk Ends" was my first book of poetry!

Greenish Lady,
Oh, you should! He relates such a silly, joy for life in his work!

Tanya,
I've never seen "Polar Express." Those types of movies have me bawling and carrying on for hours. I'm putting it on the list to watch next Christmas!


GkGirl,
I loved the poem you picked! It was so much fun.

Jennifer,
Thanks so much for commenting! I'm glad you liked it!

Liz,
Can I just tell you how awesome you are for coming up with this idea?! I had a great time yesterday, flipping through pages and scouring the internet for a poem that fit my mood. And I loved reading other people's selections. THANK YOU!

Wenda,
He has many books out and I haven't found one that I didn't enjoy!

Melanie,
Me, too! Do you think it's lost forever? Or maybe we just have to appreciate the tiny moments when we THINK we remember (though few and far between!).

Sarah,
Thank you so much for stopping by and for commenting! I've been to your blog many times and have enjoyed your words and your art!

Doc,
If you figure it out, please let me know! And YOU might think I'M kidding, but I'm not :)

CR,
I love that you and your mom shared a poem! And re: the socks, send me your shoe size (she's agreed to fulfill your request!).

Jacqueline,
That is HUGE! That means so much, when someone writes back. It makes me love him all the more!

Ann Marie,
Isn't he fabulous? I'm there, with you! HUGS!

3/03/2006 1:59 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mmmmm, that really was yummy to read.

Thank you Cate!
a.

3/03/2006 4:30 PM  

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