*Nov 29 2025 | Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda by Shel Silverstein

My husband and I often say 'woulda-coulda-shoulda'. It's a lesson we both learnt quite early on in life and has meant that we rarely pass up on an opportunity. I highly recommend DOING the things that others only talk about, it takes you on all sorts of brilliant adventures!

I absolutely adore Shel Silverstein, a man who refused to publish his books in paperback, wrote the song 'A Boy Named Sue' (Yes! the very same one sung by Johnny Cash!) https://youtu.be/-Z1Ple-qYuU?si=g4TLFa1UKUF6u805 and could reach children on their own level with his stories and poems.

Also adore Shel Silverstein, what verse of his I’ve come across: did not know that bit about paperback editions and love it.

>3 elenchus: Can you imagine the arguments with publishers and the like that kind of stubbornness might cause? Haha... would be something to witness.
Apparently he was very particular about the paper used and font type as well. Something I can appreciate as my father was a printer his whole life, I've had a lot of exposure to the industry.

As stubborn as A Boy Named Sue, which he also wrote.

Shel Silverstein is in my heart. As a kid, my youngest daughter loved his Where the Sidewalk Ends especially. She would want poem after poem read to her, and then when she could read for herself, took up other Silverstein books with the same enthusiasm. It takes a magical talent to speak to kids in ways that both delights their imaginations and represents their experiences.

Thank you @TonjaE for bringing Shel Silverstein into our collection. It makes me happy.

I have always loved Shel Silverstein's poetry. I think this one especially is an important message for us grown-ups as well... The older I get, the more my woulda-coulda-shouldas pile up. Of course, the Dids pile up as well, but they never seem to haunt me quite as much...

Lovely and reminds me I meant to post in the thread about the first poems that made an impression on us as kids. It takes a special kind of talent to speak 'children language' so wonderfully

I relate to sharing Shel Silverstein with kids - when my son was young he also requested hearing Silverstein's poems read out loud. I loved it that when he moved out, he kept a few things in storage here, and one was a box of his very favorite books growing up. Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" was one of those.

>9 JanelleDV: Aw, I love that!

One of the things I love about Shel Silverstein is his range. Not only is he a brilliant children's poet, he was also a cartoonist and regular contributor to Playboy, and wrote songs for artists including not only Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, but all but one of the songs on Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show's first two albums. He's just plain fun, with occasional profundity tucked away inside.

>11 saskia17: Oh you reminded me of something I had forgot and just got a thrill remembering again. My daughter and her husband are both musical and have lovely voices. Some years back they composed music to and sang Silverstein's "Weird-Bird." I wish it was publicly available to share (it's not because it wasn't meant to be, it was just a personal homage to a poet they both loved as kids). In their rendition, it took on a touch of charming profundity.

Here's the poem.

Weird-Bird

Birds are flyin' south for winter.
Here's the Weird-Bird headin' north,
Wings a-flappin', beak a-chatterin',
Cold head bobbin' back 'n' forth.
He says, "It's not that I like ice
Or freezin' winds and snowy ground.
It's just sometimes it's kind of nice
To be the only bird in town."

I don't think I've ever come across Shel Silverstein, but I've really enjoyed reading the posts here. Thank you! >1 TonjaE:

>1 TonjaE: "Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda" , yep, "All ran away and hid".

I should print this and pin it to my wall :)

Brilliant choice TonjaE, made me smile.