Flowers For Socrates

by NONA BLYTH CLOUD

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are, but here, it’s too hot for serious poetry. So let’s take a look at some playful verse. It’s not too surprising that most funny poems are written for children. But not all of them.

Here’s a silly rhyme that I just wrote – all the rest of the poems will look even better after you read this!

Too Hot for Prose?

Poems for you to laugh a lot
On summer days when it’s too hot
I hope you find a shady spot
To savor ev’ry small bon mot.

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Shel Silverstein wrote poems for everybody, whether you’re two years old, or just ‘young at heart.’

Mr. Grumpledump’s Song

Everything’s wrong,
Days are too long,
Sunshine’s too hot,
Wind is too strong.
Clouds are too fluffy,
Grass is too green,
Ground is too dusty,
Sheets are too clean.
Stars are too twinkly,
Moon is too high,
Water’s too drippy,
Sand is too dry.
Rocks are too heavy,
Feathers too light,
Kids are too noisy,
Shoes are too tight.
Folks are too happy,
Singin’ their songs.
Why can’t they see it?
Everything’s wrong!

“Mr. Grumpledump’s Song” from Where the Sidewalk Ends, 30th anniversary special edition © 2004 by Shel Silverstein – HarperCollins Publishers

Shel Silverstein (1930-1999) beloved America children’s book author, poet, singer-songwriter, cartoonist, and screenwriter, has over 20 million books in print in 30 languages.

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