Shel Silverstein

When I am gone what will you do? Who will write and draw for you? Someone smarter—someone new? Someone better—maybe YOU!

She had the jitters She had the flu She showed up late She missed her cue She kicked the director She screamed at the crew And tripped on a prop And fell in some goo And ripped her costume A place or two Then she forgot A line she knew And went “Meow” Instead of “Moo” She heard ‘em giggle She heard ‘em boo The programs sailed The popcorn flew As she stomped offstage With a boo-hoo-hoo The fringe of the curtain Got caught in her shoe The set crashed down The lights did too Maybe that’s why she didn’t want to do An interview.

Where did you get such a dirty face, My darling dirty-faced child? I got it from crawling along in the dirt And biting two buttons off Jeremy’s shirt. I got it from chewing the roots of a rose And digging for clams in the yard with my nose. I got it from peeking into a dark cave And painting myself like a Navajo brave. I got it from playing with coal in the bin And signing my name in cement with my chin. I got it from rolling around on the rug And giving the horrible dog a big hug. I got it from finding a lost silver mine And eating sweet blackberries right off the vine. I got it from ice cream and wrestling and tears And from having more fun than you’ve had in years.