In Pursuit of Poetry

March 2, 2020 - Shel Siverstein - Where the Sidewalk Ends

March 2, 2020
Yesterday (March 2) I was dealing with the fuzzy head of a cold that has settled quite firmly into my sinuses. I tried to get something together, but had to give up and take to my bed. I was not up for the hassle of figuring out which poem. I managed to find a website with 36 life changing poems everyone should read... according to the article. The website is at the bottom of his post.

From that list I chose one poem and realized I already had it in my blog from last time I did this challenge, so I slept on it and went back at it today to find another one I like. I have selected this poet before, but it was a different poem last time. So today's poem is:
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein.

Silverstein has a magical quality to his verse. It is fun and sensorial. That may not be a real word, but hey, we are talking poetry here. Anything goes. I really want to experience that 'peppermint wind'.

It is a poem that reminds us to stop and take time to be aware of the world around us. Stop rushing and enjoy all the simple things - grass, the sun, the birds, the wind. We as adults, often forget to cherish these things and they are there... if we just stop and look. Savour and play. Being adult does not have to be serious business. Just like that RVing commercial says... enjoy your Wildhood.

Today I intend to give myself time to meditate on the wonders around me. Slowing down, letting my body heal and sink into awareness of the here and now - the simple and unique.

Where the Sidewalk Ends
by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.


https://www.buzzfeed.com/krystieyandoli/life-changing-poems-everyone-should-read...