Back in the early 1990’s, I had the honor of performing the world premiere of a song cycle, based on the poetry of Shel Silverstein. Prior to that time, I had thought of Mr. Silverstein’s work as solely for children. And it’s true that children all over the world do love his poetry, prose, and delightful drawings.

But Shel Silverstein’s work is more than child’s pay. Today, I’d like to share a couple of his poems with you that I think have a place on this blog – one that speaks to what can happen when we let the voice of fear be the loudest, and one that advise listening past the all-too-often overwhelming warnings…

The One Who Stayed

You should have heard the old men cry,
You should have heard the biddies
When that sad stranger raised his flute
And piped away the kiddies.
Katy, Tommy, Meg and Bob
Followed, skipping gaily,
Red-haired Ruth, my brother Rob,
And little crippled Bailey,
John and Nils and Cousin Claire,
Dancin’, spinnin’, turnin’
‘Cross the hills to God knows where –
They never came returnin’.
‘Cross the hills to God knows where
The piper pranced, a leadin’
Each child in Hamlin Town but me,
And I stayed home unheedin’.
My papa says that I was blest
For if that music found me,
I’d be witch-cast like all the rest.
This town grows old around me.
I cannot say I did not hear
That sound so haunting hollow –
I heard, I heard, I heard it clear…
I was afraid to follow.

Listen to the Mustn’ts

Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
The listen close to me –
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.

Now dear readers, I must ask you, “Do you hear a piper playing, yet are afraid to follow? Or, will you choose to believe that anything can happen, anything can be?”

Laura Biering has an infectious zeal for coaching people who want to do enlivening work and live inspired lives. She's fired up about the power of taking risks - great and small - and the rewards that come as a result. She's also passionate about (1) creativity and authenticity and their potential to change the world, (2) frolicking with her adorable four-legged children, and (3) retreating with those she loves at her farm in Southeast Georgia, Brinson's Race. Visit her website at True Voices.
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