Tuesday, January 20, 2009

"How many, How much"

My first posting is a poem written by Shel Silverstein. A poet who is primarily geared toward children, but in my years as a UU youth he served a profound impact.

How many slams in a old screen door?
Depends on how loud you shut it.
How many slices in a bread?
Depends on how thin you cut it.
How much good inside a day?
Depends how good you live 'em.
How much love inside a friend?
Depends on how much you give 'em.

-Shel Silverstein

4 comments:

Robin Edgar said...

That last line close parallels a saying of Ovid that I am fond of -

If U*Us want to be loved, be loveable. . .

Red Sphynx said...

Shel Silvestein was a great poet for kids. But I first encountered him in the '60s, writing poetry for Playboy magazine. Read the lyrics to 'Freakers Ball' -- he's not just a poet for the kiddies.


http://www.mp3lyrics.org/s/shel-silverstein/freakin/

don zimmer said...

Thanks for sharing. I am also a fan. They are writings that affect your life.
My daughter grew up with Shel silverstein's writings. Now that she lives in Paris I sent her and her husband 2 copies of Silverstein's 'The Giving Tree' for Christmas ... one in English for her and one in French for her husband.
My best.

T said...

I'm also fan of Shel Silverstein - particularly his short book "The Missing Piece Meets the Big O". It's simple and elegant with a great message about how we grow, both as an indivdual and in community. Check it out...and Thanks for sharing.

Tanya