singing my mumble-grumble song

Sitting at Mummy Dearest's, listening as she read Shel Silverstein to Little Fish, I realized that Shel Silverstein poems may be even funnier when you're an adult. And more profound. Here are some gems:

"Rock-a-bye"

Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top,

Don't you know a tree top,
Is no safe place to rock?
And who put you up there,
And your cradle too?
Baby I think someone down here's
Got it in for you.

"Listen to the mustn'ts"

Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,

Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON'TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me--
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.

"Put something in"

Draw a crazy picture,

Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-grumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
'Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain't been there before.

"The Bridge"

This bridge will only take you halfway there

To those mysterious lands you long to see:
Through gypsy camps and swirling Arab fairs
And moonlit woods where unicorns run free.
So come and walk awhile with me and share
The twisting trails and wondrous worlds I've known.
But this bridge will only take you halfway there-
The last few steps you'll have to take alone.

  ~ Shel Silverstein

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