Am I the last person to learn that prolific children's poet Shel Silverstein had another life as a writer of decidedly adult content? Feels like it! Besides writing Johnny Cash's hit song "A Boy Named Sue," he started his career at Playboy, where he continued to contribute until his death.
To me, his poems were the epitome of childhood simplicity and playfulness. So, I was surprised to read one of his lesser-known poems, "The Perfect High." With Silverstein's trademark couplets beating like nursery rhymes, the tale of Gimmesome Roy searching for the perfect high reads like a twisted parody of his children's poems. Here's my favorite part of the poem:
"What's happening, Fats?" says Roy with joy, "I've come to state my biz.
I hear you're hip to the perfect trip. Please tell me what it is.
For you can see," says Roy to he, "that I'm about to die,
So for my last ride, Fats, how can I achieve the perfect high?""Well, dog my cats!" says Baba Fats. "here's one more burnt-out soul,
Who's looking for some alchemist to turn his trip to gold.
But you won't find it in no dealer's stash, or on no druggist's shelf.
Son, if you would seek the perfect high — find it in yourself."
Did you know about Shel's, um, versatility? Are you surprised?
Kenneth Jay Lane
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who is surprised that artists can dabble in substances? Lewis Carroll? Truman Capote? come on.
1Dr. Seuss early stuff was adult , too.
2I'm seconding mamasita - no should be surprised that artists of any sort use mind altering substances. To be surprised is pretty silly in my book.
3That said, I didn't know he was a contributor to Playboy. That's pretty awesome. If you had shown me the poem without telling me who wrote it, I'd know as soon as I read it - it's very much his typical style!
I love Shel and I remember The Perfect High, it was one of my B-I-L's favorite poems. Its a good message get high on enjoying your own life. Live until you die.
4I'm not scandalized or anything, but I am surprised. It's so interesting to learn more about the lesser-known sides of famous people who I know of mostly for one thing.
5this has nothing to do withthis particularpeom, but is he the one who wrote the giving tree? i still love that and i am way past childhood.
6I still have Where the Sidewalk Ends. Loved that book. I guess I'm sort of suprised, but only because I've never thought about it. It makes sense though. He is an adult, so he would probably write adult things as well as childrens poems.
7Polkadots, he did write The Giving Tree; he also wrote A Light in the Attic. I'm not surprised at all about his 'dark side'. Many creative people, writers, artists, musicians, chefs, tend to have 'extracurricular activities.'
8I loved that book too. I don't think that being an excellent writer of children's material precludes you from having decidedly adult experiences. I had dinner with two friends of mine last night that are phenomenal parents, and are busy putting out a literary magazine that centers of GLBT themes.
I don't feel like having children needs to short your brain out from adult discussions about sex, drugs and other ideas not kid safe.
9I like that snippet. I used to read Shel as a kid
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