Shel Silverstein was my favorite author as a kid. In fact, I will even take it one step further and declare that he’s one of the greatest writers and illustrators of all time. (Before you attempt to refute that statement, try to find one person who wasn’t touched by The Giving Tree!)

One of my most vivid childhood memories is sitting cross-legged in the children’s aisle of the bookstore with one of his books in my lap, leafing through the pages and pausing to scrutinize each one, as if they were tiny puzzles. I wanted to crack the code of Silverstein’s mind, to uncover where he derived his kooky inspiration from and how he found his writer’s voice. I purchased a copy of Falling Up, read it through and through, and kept tabs on my favorite poems by sticking post-its in between the pages. 

He’s so different from the other writers, my curious, seven-year-old self reflected.

Sixteen years later, I’m still the same wonderstruck, wide-eyed reader, except with a broader, wiser perspective—or that’s what I like to tell myself, at least.

To me, this poem is about crossing thresholds, pursuing greatness, and ending strong.

Thanks, Shel.