<P> Looking more in depth at this poem makes clear what Shel Silverstein is saying . Do what the children do . They know the place where the sidewalk ends . And in doing so, you will find the joy and passion for life that they have . When he says to follow the markings of the children and you will find the place where the sidewalk ends, it is not a literal command to physically follow them . Rather he is saying put on the mindset of a child and you will, in turn, find the imagination and joy and innocence that children have . Children do not have to work at finding the place where the sidewalk ends, they know . They know because they know nothing else, the joyful, imaginative mindset they have is purely natural . While adults minds have been influenced by the hardships of the world, and in turn have to work at finding the place where the sidewalk ends . Adults must leave behind the black smoke and look beyond the dark streets that come with adulthood in order to truly find the place where the sidewalk ends . </P> <P> Shel Silverstein's influence on poetry has been said to have the ability to "Convince children that poetry is neither difficult nor threatening," he was also able to "understand common childhood thoughts and anxieties ." and his poem, Where the Sidewalk Ends, is no different . Its easy to read, silly vocabulary in combination with the underlying idea that children in fact have the secret to "where the sidewalk ends" makes it fun for children to read . Also, Silverstein had a special insight into the mind of a child, and understood the children's way of thinking relaying that into "Where the Sidewalk Ends ." Where the Sidewalk Ends has become a children's poetry launch point, and its lighthearted, engaging style has propelled children to dive into more of Silverstein's poetry and in some cases more poetry in general . Where the Sidewalk Ends, is now a children's poetry classic, and has shaped much of the modern children's poetry that is published today . </P> <P> Silverstein has written several books, including Don't Bump the Glump, and arguably his most famous, The Giving Tree . Silverstein has also written several collections of poetry similar to the book, Where the Sidewalk Ends . Those include A Light in the Attic, Falling Up and The Missing Piece . Whatif, Hug O War, Bear in There, and Ticklish Tom are among Silverstein's other most famous poems . Poets similar to Silverstein include Dr. Seuss, Eloise Greenfield and Robert Louis Stevenson . </P>

Meaning of shel silverstein where the sidewalk ends