Losing My Head

I can hardly believe that I have two weeks left of literature class. The papers are piling up, but that's o.k. I work better under pressure. We're studying poetry this week. We've delved into Keats, Tennyson and Wordsworth. We've analyzed iambic pentameter, sonnet and rhyme. We've debated the pros and cons of free verse and I wrote my first Haiku last night. I don't see that in my future, but I enjoyed the experience nonetheless. In all seriousness, I do like some poetry. I enjoy Robert Frost and modern poets like Billy Collins. But I've found that egos run rampid throughout the poet community, and I've reached the point where I'm afraid of voicing my opinion any further. I've had my head taken off a time or two and I'm tired of screwing it back on. It isn't pleasant. So last night, I asked my professor if she would allow me to write on Shel Silverstein instead of William Wordsworth. To my astonishment, she said yes!
I'd like to post one of my favorite Silverstein poems in honor of all the times I've lost my head.

The Loser

Mama said I'd lose my head
If it wasn't fastened on.
Today I guess it wasn't
'Cause while playing with my cousin
It fell off and rolled away
And now it's gone.

And I can't look for it
'Cause my eyes are in it,
And I can't call to it
'Cause my mouth is on it
(Couldn't hear me anyway
'Cause my ears are on it),
Can't even think about it
'Cause my brain is in it.
So I guess I'll sit down
On this rock
And rest for just a minute....

Where the Sidewalk Ends, the poems and drawings of Shel Silverstein, Copyright 1974 HarperCollins Publishers

Thank you Mr. Silverstein! Your writings make language fun and poetry class more enjoyable.