Five Shel Silverstein poems breakdown
16. JAKE SAYS (Every Thing On It)
Yes, I am adopted.
My folks were not blessed
With me in the usual way.
But they picked me,
They chose me
From all the rest,
Which is lots more than most kids can say.
Title: "Jake says" is about an adopted kid that is saying that he is adopted but he is just as good as other kids.
Paraphrase:
Lines 1-3: This part talks about how he is adopted and is not regular, how he is different.
Lines 4-8: These lines about how he is special and that he is not lower than other kids he is equal.
Attitude:
The poem is talking from the speaker's point of view, it is trying to tell you about his feelings about being adopted.
Shift:
The shift begins in the 4th line that when he talks about how he is special and chosen. It begins with a kind of sad way talking about the bad side then "shifts" to more optimistic.
Opinion:
I like this poem, it tells people that adopted kids aren't bad. This is cool because I wouldn't have thought about, that he was chosen from all the others. This makes me think was how did Shel come across this idea.
Recommendation:
I recommend this to any body who thinks they are weird or bad because they are adopted or any bullies.
45. HAPPY ENDING? (Every Thing On It)
There are no happy endings.
Endings are the saddest part,
So just give me a happy middle
And a very happy start.
Title: "Happy ending?" says that ending are the worst part they are not happy because they are sad.
Paraphrase:
Lines 1-2: These lines talk about how the speaker doesn't like the ending of stories because the are the saddest part.
Lines 3-4: They tell you that instead he likes really happy starts and middles.
Attitude: The attitude of the speaker is accepting and sad he is trying to tell you how sad story endings are.
Shift:
The shift happens when the speaker starts telling you how he likes his stories which occurs after the 2nd line the shift also turns the sad motive to an acceptance.
Opinion: In my opinion I like the ending but sometimes it is sad that its time for the book to end, for example "Where the red fern grows" The saddest part is the end because both Billies dogs died.I like this poem because it makes sense and relatable.
Recommendation: I recommend this poem it is cool because it is really relatable because if your reading a good book you never want it to end. Readers could try to connect with this poem.
25. THE PLANET OF MARS (Where the Sidewalk Ends)
On the planet of Mars
They have clothes just like ours,
And they have the same shoes and same laces,
And they have the same charms and same graces,
And they have the same heads and same faces…
But not in the
Very same
Places.
Paraphrase:
Lines 1-5: These lines talk about how people on mars have the same clothes and other treasures as us.
Lines 6-8: This part talks about how they are different from us because the have heads in different spots.
Attitude: The attitude of this poem is fun in the beginning but then gets kind of towards funny or "humerus" because they don't have their heads in the same places as us.
Shift: The shift occurs at the same place that the attitude changes right after the 5 line exactly the 6 line.
Opinion: I like this poem it is very fun I like how he even rhymed while telling you what they have the same stuff as us on earth I also like how it was just he head that was different not any thing else.
Recommendation: I like this poem, I think it is very funny. I think is great for kids because it gets a little misleading and the end, and will bring a big laugh especially if they don't expect it.
13. RIDICULOUS ROSE (Where the Sidewalk Ends)
Her mama said, “Don’t eat with your fingers.”
“OK,” said Ridiculous Rose,
So she ate with her toes.
Title: This poem is about a girl that is either very clever or not very smart.
Paraphrase:
Lines 1-2: These talk about how Rose was eating with her finger and her Mama said "Don't eat with your fingers."
Lines 3-4: Rose responds and says okay and instead she ate with her toes.
Attitude: The attitude of this poem is funny, happy and confusing because she can be very smart or the opposite.
Shift: The shift is at the very end when ridiculous rose instead of doing what her mom said right she took it too literally.
Opinion: This is a funny little story I like it I like how Shel even rhymed with the toes part. It makes me want to met Shel so I know why she ate with her toes.
Recommendation: I like this poem it could be a little fun story that a little kid could read each night or something like that. It is very short but has a funny ending.
44. DIVING BOARD (Falling Up)
You’ve been up on that diving board
Making sure that it’s nice and straight.
You’ve made sure that it’s not too slick.
You’ve made sure it can stand the weight.
You’ve made sure that the spring is tight.
You’ve made sure that the cloth won’t slip.
You’ve made sure that it bounces right,
And that your toes can get a grip—
And you’ve been up there since half past five
Doin’ everything… but DIVE
Title: "Diving board" is about just doing something, don't just wait and do everything else other than your goal.
Paraphrase:
Lines 1-8: These lines talk about how the speaker is telling you about how you are checking everything that is on the diving board and making sure every thing is correct.
Lines 9-10: These talk about how you were not diving and doing every thing else but DIVING!
Attitude: The attitude of this poem is fun and trying to kind of urge you, the speaker is trying to tell you to just jump off the board!
Shift: The shift occurs right at the end line 9 which tells you to just dive off the board and stop checking.
Opinion: In my opinion this poem had a pretty good lesson it tells you to just do what your going to do don't wait, a problem that I and most kids have. I like it because at the same time it is also fun.
Recommendation: I like this it is funny and long it has a twist ending where instead of going on it says dive I recommend it to smaller kids.
I got the the picture online and the poems from here ACFrOgBdJ64otP8FGI6G5MZoM78OS9Um7Dnx16qr3cNP2-76meXsjYs6PPqSUbqOq27qtd08fVHgZAqoETF20U2h3xmADic6BP0btpTkgdoaf9zm6PrEbBZ0ZZeFGwBcOy7IhQkszEO16RpBrqNn
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