10 Shel Silverstein Poems You Need To Read Again As An Adult

The poem "Invitation" has a lot of interesting dynamics at play. First, the poem invites everyone to come into the narrator’s home. No matter what you are, be that a dreamer, a liar, a pretender or a magic bean buyer, you are welcome to come in and tell stories with the others. This blind acceptance shows that deep down, everyone is equal in life. It also sparks the question of how you are choosing to face life. Are you dreaming? Wishing? Praying? It questions what we do, why we do it and why we do not accept those who do things differently than us. What could be more applicable in today's time?

This poem was published in perhaps the most famous of Shel Silverstein’s collections, “Where the Sidewalk Ends”.

The poem "Invitation" was originally published in “Where the Sidewalk Ends” on Nov. 20, 1974.

This poem simultaneously asks both fun and serious questions about life, love and happiness. All the questions the narrator asks have no real answers, but instead serve to turn us toward self-reflection. Everything depends on something else, which means there is no right answer.

Similarly, there is no right answer to life. The poem specifically asks, “How much good inside a day?” and the answer to that all depends on how you choose to live those days. Rather than asking questions in search of the perfect answer, take a step back and just enjoy things as they are.

This poem was published in Shel Silverstein’s second poem collection, “A Light in the Attic”.

"How Many, How Much" was originally published in 1981.

This poem focuses on all the negativity we constantly face in our day-to-day lives. It seems like everyone can’t or won't do something, or they find something impossible. We hear this constantly, yet it is important for us to remember that anything is more important than nothing.

We even have so many self doubts in our own minds. Just remember: No matter how difficult it may seem, anything is possible if you believe. So, do not say "no" to life. Say "yes" to living, exploring and creating.

This poem was published in, perhaps, the most famous of Shel Silverstein’s collections, “Where the Sidewalk Ends”.

The poem "Listen to the Mustn’ts" made its original appearance with the release of “Where the Sidewalk Ends” on Nov. 20, 1974.

This poem really touches on the fact that so many of us hide behind a mask. We often hide our interests, our history and just about anything else that may set us apart from the norm away from our friends and acquaintances. Yet we are constantly looking for someone who understands those differences. Someone who understands who we are on a personal level.

Even though we look for that someone everywhere we go, our masks may prevent us from finding them. Just as we are hiding, they are hiding, too. Without the bravery of one soul to let down that mask, you may never find you matching half.

This poem was originally published in Shel Silverstein’s final poem collection, “Every Thing On It”.

The poem "Masks" was originally published on Sept. 20, 2011.

"Pancake?" seemingly is an innocent poem about someone who makes a bunch of pancakes for all their friends. The interesting parts of this poem are the named characters. Grace, who has been deemed to be good, takes a pancake from the top, while Theresa, who has been deemed to be terrible, takes one from the middle. This demonstrates how in life, sometimes, people do their best to make things easy while others make things difficult.

It does not mean we should stop making pancakes. We just have to accept the trouble and the mischievous actions and continue onward.

This poem was published in, perhaps, the most famous of Shel Silverstein’s collections, “Where the Sidewalk Ends”.

The poem "Pancake?" was originally published on Nov. 20, 1974.

In a similar fashion to the poem "Mask," "Underface" discusses the fact that so many of us are presenting ourselves differently that how we actually feel. Our outward appearances do not necessarily express who we are internally.

Sometimes, people hide just a little of themselves while others hide a lot. Tucked away behind our exteriors are our insecurities, our doubts and our fears. While our underfaces may not be better than what we present to the world, it is far more honest and expressive than our outside face could ever be.

This poem was originally published in Shel Silverstein’s final poem collection, “Every Thing On It”.

The poem "Underface" was originally published on Sept. 20, 2011.

This is a clever poem that discusses the feeling of momentarily forgetting something that is obvious. The character in the poem remembers to put on his shoes, socks, tie, and coat, but somehow feels that something else is missing. While he was caught up in the details and the excitement of the dance, he forgot his pants.

This is something that so many of us do in our daily lives. We rush out the door on our way to work or school, but 10 minutes later we remember we did not brush our teeth. It is such a normal phenomenon we often forget the phenomenon exists. What a relatable poem!

This poem was published in Shel Silverstein’s second poem collection, “A Light in the Attic”.

The poem "Something Missing" was originally published in 1981.

The poem "I Won’t Hatch" provides a familiar feeling for many individuals. The chick in this story refuses to hatch, saying that there are too many terrible things happening out in the real world. Why should the chick leave the safety of his egg when violence awaits him outside?

This parallels the way many humans never want to grow up. Being able to stay young and naïve to the hardships of life feels easier than actually having to grow up and face the harsh realities and responsibilities. But just like the chick, everyone has to hatch sometime.

This poem was published in Shel Silverstein’s collection, “Where the Sidewalk Ends”.

The poem "I Won’t Hatch" was originally published on Nov. 20, 1974.

"Put Something In" is an inspirational poem that encourages the reader to go out there and do something. It does not matter what that something is. It could be crazy, or not well done, or even something a million other people have done. But if you do it, it will be unique. You will put something valuable out into the universe that was not there before.

This poem was published in Shel Silverstein’s second poem collection, “A Light in the Attic”.

The poem "Put Something In" was originally published in 1981.

This poem is a cautionary tale about learning to think for yourself, and, believe us, it's not meant for just children! There are three groups of people in this fictional universe, all of whom do things differently.

The Yesees will say "yes" to anything, no matter what it is while the Noees said "no" to everything unless it is 100% proven and tested. The Yesees all ended up dying from too much of everything, and the Noees all ended up dying because of their fears. The third group, the "Thinkforyourselfees," survived and are doing alright.

Following along with every single thing someone says can be dangerous. So, too, can be the tendency to immediately back away from every idea presented to you. You must be courageous and think for yourself. Learn to lead, follow and make your own decisions about issues, when appropriate. If you learn to think for yourself, you will end up living a long and happy life.

This poem was originally published in Shel Silverstein’s final poem collection, “Every Thing On It”.

The poem "Yesees and Noees" was originally published on Sept. 20, 2011.