Listening to the Silence

I first read Shel Silverstein's poems when I was a kid and remember absolutely loving them. They were simple, funny, contained life lessons, and some could be quite sweet. Reading them as an adult however, I find that they have lost some of their charm. No longer do I find myself laughing at his silly and often absurd little rhymes. However, I read some of them with my boys and they all giggled and laughed, so I'm guessing that is more a product of age than anything. Shel Silverstein clearly rights for a less mature audience and that's a good thing. Too often now books, movies, and games are full of meaning that only adults will get. While they may created for children, many authors and filmmakers have gone too far in trying to cater to adult preferences. So, while Shel Silverstein may not be Poet Laureate material, he may be just what you children need.