Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

SICK, by SHELBY SILVERSTEIN Poet Analysis Poet's Biography

"Sick" is a humorous and witty poem written by Shel Silverstein, a well-known American poet, songwriter, and author of children's books. The poem tells the story of a child who feigns illness in order to avoid going to school, but soon realizes the consequences of their actions.

Explanation:

The poem "Sick" begins with the speaker describing how they pretended to be sick to avoid going to school, telling their mother that they had a fever and a headache. However, as the day progresses and the child becomes more invested in their fake illness, they begin to experience a variety of bizarre symptoms, such as turning green and growing antlers. The child's mother becomes increasingly concerned, calling a doctor who prescribes a variety of unusual remedies, but none of them seem to work. Eventually, the child confesses to their mother that they were just pretending to be sick, and the mother's response is to send the child to school anyway.

The poem is characterized by a number of poetic elements that contribute to its humorous and witty tone. These elements include:

Rhyme scheme: The poem is written in a simple and straightforward AABB rhyme scheme, which adds to its sing-song quality.
Imagery: The poem uses vivid imagery to create a sense of whimsy and absurdity, such as the child turning green and growing antlers.
Irony: The poem employs irony to highlight the child's foolish decision to feign illness, as they end up experiencing a variety of bizarre symptoms as a result.
Tone: The poem's tone is humorous and playful, with a touch of wry irony and sarcasm.

Conclusion:

"Sick" is a lighthearted and whimsical poem that pokes fun at the idea of feigning illness to avoid school. Through its use of rhyme, imagery, irony, and a playful tone, the poem encourages readers to embrace the humor and absurdity of life, even in the face of mundane tasks like going to school. The poem also highlights the consequences of deceit and the importance of honesty. Overall, "Sick" is a testament to the enduring power of humor and laughter, and serves as a reminder to not take ourselves too seriously.

Poem Snippet:

Here are four lines from "Sick" by Shel Silverstein:

So I stayed home from school that day,

And watched TV like I wanted to.

But Mama said, "Come get your soup,

And take your cough medicine too!"