“Sick“ by Shel Silverstein (1974)

Shel Silverstein’s poem, “Sick,” first appeared in the original edition of Where the Sidewalk Ends (1974), Silverstein’s seminal collection of children’s poetry and line drawings. “Sick” details young Peggy Ann McKay’s clever plan to stay home from school. Peggy, the speaker of the poem, lists all of the various (and oftentimes contradicting) ailments from which she is suffering, increasing in specificity as the poem goes on. “Sick” uses the same list format found in “Mr. Grumpledump’s Song,” establishing a quick pace, overwhelming readers with information throughout one, unbroken stanza. However, unlike “Mr. Grumpledump’s Song,” Silverstein employs a subtle turn at the end of “Sick,” revealing that it is the weekend, and Peggy did not need an ingenious scheme to stay home after all. “Sick” is humorous and whimsical, adding levity to daily inconveniences just like “Mr. Grumpledump’s Song.”

“Nasty School“ by Shel Silverstein (2011)

Every Thing On It (2011) is a collection of poems by Shel Silverstein that was published posthumously by Harper and Row in 2011. The collection contains more than 130 never before seen poems and drawings created by Silverstein before his death. “Nasty School” appears in this collection, showcasing Silverstein’s quintessential humor, word play, and erratic rhyme schemes.