Please share your poems inspired by Shel Silverstein here.
This week you were studying Shel Silverstein’s “Old Man and child”. Please share your thoughts with us here.
If you’ve created a piece of poetry or some writing inspired by poetry, please share them with us here too.
Remember to take time to read poems by other students too and leave an encouraging comment.
This poem made me feel a bit sad because the old man may have problems to make him act like a little boy. This is because everything the boy did, the old man did as well.
This poem is very emotional. It is nice ,however, that the boy finds a person that is older and a friend and understands the him.
Said the little boy,”Sometimes I talk to myself.”
Said the old man,”I do that too.”
The little boy whispered “I often sing loudly on the streets.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man
Said the little boy,”I often break my things.”
The old man nodded,”So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy,”it seems I always lose my temper.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
nice peom because its funny and words
The differences between young and old are similar, and this poem really show. This truly is a great poem.
I found singing in the streets very funny.
Thanks for your positive reply☺
This is a nice poem and doesn’t seem too directed at anyone 🙂
That’s wonderful, how you’ve managed to take two very different people and use things that really contrast their characters.
The quotes are also not at all far-fetched
I like yours Yom i talk to myself sometimes too!!
Hello Yom from St Aloysius,
Your poem is really good because it really and descriptive words and makes me understand all the feelings. Very good poem!
Said the little boy, ”Sometimes I smash eggs on the floor!”
Said the old man,”I do that too.”
The little boy whispered,”I shock my parents at night.”
”I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy,”I often scream.”
The old man nodded,”So do I.”
”But worst of all,” said the boy,”it seems I don’t adapt to the real world.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
”I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
I really like your poem Theo you put a lot of humour into it and im really impressed well done!
i like your poem because it’s very funny.
I like your poem Theo because it’s funny =)
I agree with you choi-ying he did put a lot of effort into it and it is funny
I like this poem because it’s like real life, and doesn’t try to hide the truth.
Theo, I like this because you’ve given a sad poem humour and it is hilarious!!! Well done!!!
My reaction to ‘The Little Boy and the Old Man’ by Shel Silverstein was quite sad. I felt miserable after reading it, even more when there was expression put into it. But yet, I felt quite happy that the two were sharing feelings with each other.
The poem by Shel Silverstein from the boy’s point of view makes me feel like if you are being isolated by the rest of the world with little problems, but just remember there will always be someone out there that can relate to you and help you find solution for it. This piece of writing is like a pitch black room with you inside it all on your own but suddenly a little spark of flame is made and it illuminates the rest of the room making the world clear to you and giving you the sense of hope. But from the old man’s point of view i feel very intrigued that someone as young as the boy can have problem related to someone as old as the man, this creates a bond between the two ages and creates the message that we are all unique in our own way but all connected in. another
A lovely analysis Kwame. Your own simile of the dark room is very powerful. Yes, the poem does appear to create a bond between two different ages and highlights the similarities. I wonder if you might be interested in reading John Donne’s poem “No man is an Island” and seeing if you can see any similarities between the poems.
Great simile ( the one about the dark room and the spark) it really makes you think about your point of view.
Amazing examination of the poem from two points of view
‘Sometimes i weep in pain.’
Said the old man’I do that too.’
The little boy said sadly ‘Sometimes i am melancholy.’
‘I am like that too’ cried the old man
The little boy whispered ‘Sometimes i lose control’
‘ So do i’ said the little man.
‘ But the worst thing is, i always feel desolate’ said the little boy depressed.
The little man felt that to and so he hugged the boy contented
This is my recreation of the poem:
Said the little boy, ”Sometimes I burp a lot.”
Said the little old man, ”I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, ”Sometimes I sleep a lot.”
”I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy,”I often scream a lot.”
The old man nodded,”So do I.”
”But most of all”, said the little boy,”It seems that I’ve been taken into a different world because no one accepted me in it.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
”I know what you mean.” the little old man said.
I really like your poem.it’s very fun
love it:)
I really like Shel Silverstein’s poem because it is a bit funny and it talks about a boy. Also because it talks about the little boy’s opinion and the little old grandpa agrees with him.
Said the the little boy,”Sometimes I choke on food”
Said the old man,”I do that too”
The little boy whispered,”I burp lots”
“I do that too,”laughed the little old man
Said the little boy,”I often fall asleep during the day”
The old man nodded,”so do I”
“But worst of all”said the boy”it seems like when i fall over I struggle to get back up”
“I know what you mean”said the little old man.
This is my recreation of the poem:
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I burp a lot.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “Sometimes I annoy my friends.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often sleep during the day.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all, ” said the boy, ” It seems that my family always ignores me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean, ” said the little old man.
This is my recreation of the poem :
Said the boy “sometimes I fly”
Said the old man “I do that too”
The boy whispered” sometimes I surf massive waves in the Sahara”
” I do that too laughed the old man”
Said the little boy ” sometimes I get chased by a hoover”
The old man nodded respectively”So do I”
“But best of all” said the boy ” It seems that I am sitting by the fire with lots of food and ALL of my family”
“So do i ,So do i” Said the glassy eyed old man .
The Sahara is a desert!!
great examination conar loving it
i like the way you fraised that
so do i
My recreation of The Little Boy and the Old Man by Shel Silverstein
Said the little boy,”Sometimes I fall over. Yes I do!”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, ” I cook with pots and pans.”
“I do that too,” laughed the old man.
Said the little boy, “I like The Gangnam Style I like Psy.”
The old man nodded, So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
I am allergic to sand.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
We really liked this poem because you tried really hard to make it rhyme! We also like that you added a 21st century reference into your poem! Well done Justin!
Said the little boy,”Sometimes I forget”
Said the old man,”I do that too”
The little boy giggled,”Sometimes I be cheeky”
“I do that too”laughed the old man.
Said the little boy”I often be ignored”
The old man nodded”So do I”
“But worse of all,” said the boy”My family argue over me”
And he felt the warm hug of the old man.
“I know what you mean,”said the little old man.
‘The old man and the little boy’ is quite similar to the poem ‘The Giving Tree; By Shel Silverstein.’ It is quite similar because it has a child in it and there is also an old man in part of it. I really like the ‘Giving tree’ because it gives a great message about life. We read this poem also in Year 4 and I can remember it because it was such a beautiful poem.
i like your poem so much because it was creative and intresting
Said the little boy,”Sometimes I play with my food.”
Said the old man,”I do that too.”
The little boy whispered,”I forget to flush the toilet.”
“I do that too,”laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy,”I often break my plate.”
The old man nodded,”So do I.”
“But worst of all,”Said the boy,”It seems
no one want to be my friend”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled hand.
“I know what you mean,”said the little old man.
Brandon this poem is very funny and humerus you used the mind of a little boy well done 🙂
This poem is really touching, but humorous too. Very good poem. I liked it.
this poem moved me,it made me feel… speechless. Just owning up to everything to somebody you may not know, is crazy! I really hope you agree. 🙂 :):)
I agree Aedan
Said the little boy,”Sometimes I fall over.”
Said the old man,”I do that too.”
The little boy whispered,”I forget to flush the toilet.”
“I do that too laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy,”I play with my food.”
The old man nodded,”So do I.”
“But worst of all,”Said the boy,”It seems I get
bullied everyday.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled hand.
“I know what you mean,”said the little old man.
Said the little boy, “sometimes i cry”
Said the old man, “i do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “i often wet my pants,”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
said the little boy,”I often get bullied,”
the old man nodded, “So do I.”
“but worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems like no one likes me, i’m alone!
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,”said the little old man.
I like that it is based on children and adults could do the same thing, like not saying something what a child would do but its not related to the adult.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I dream ”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I lie”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often spill my drink ”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
that no one likes to listen to my stories”
and he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I drop my spoon.”
Said the old man, “I’ve also got wobbly hands”
The little boy whispered, “I wet my pants.”
“I where nappies,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often cry.”
The old man said, “That occurs to me a lot as well”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
Grown-ups don’t pay attention to me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“As a rusty old man young boy I try and be funny however my jokes aren’t funny anymore so I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
nice Ethan its funny and very good well done 🙂
You have great humor! Well done Ethan.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I breake the TV.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I breake our boiler.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often get an F- in my tests.”
The old man nodded, “So did I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
that I am very lonely.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
“Sometimes my words come out funny.” mumbled the little boy.
“That happens to me to!” The old man laughed.
“Sometimes I twip over my own feet and all the gwown-ups laugh at me. The little boy whispered.
The old man smiled “I can understand.”
“I’m scwared of the dark!” The little boy said fearfully.
“The dark is where all the monsters come from, you have a right.” The old man said.
Hi Sean,
I like the way your trying to capture the language of a young child. Very imaginative.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I wet pants
Said the old man, “I do that too
Said the little boy I often cry
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
“said the little boy I get bullied at school
“The old man nodded” that happens to me too
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems my parents don’t care about me”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
by Milly and Daniel
Said the little girl, “sometimes I play with dolls.”
Said the old woman, “I like collecting them”
The little girl whispered, “I wet my pants.”
“I do that to, “whispered the little old woman.
Said the little girl, “I’m often clumsy.”
The old woman nodded “I know the feeling.”
“But worst of all,” said the girl, “it seems my friend’s think I’m too old to sleep with toys.”
And she felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“You are never too old or too young,” said the little old woman.
By Asmaa and Leila
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I gop my food.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I poo my pas
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often get biet.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems other children dot piy wif me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Thank you for sharing your poem with us Rhydian. I enjoyed it.
Hope you share more.
Said the kind old man “Oh; me too.”
“Sometimes, I don’t eat my dinner.” said the little girl
“He He, so do I.” laughed the kind old man
Said the little girl, “Sometimes I cry for silly reasons.”
Said the kind old man “So do I.
“And worst of all,” said the girl “it seems that grown-ups don’t pay attention to me.”
And she felt the warmth of a wrinkly old hand.
“Yes, yes I know what you mean.” Said the kind old man.
The butterfly whispered, “I adore being free,”
The eagle replied, “I see what you mean.”
The butterfly muttered, “To acquire food I must search high and low.”
“I agree,” sighed the eagle,”Although you wouldn’t think so.”
“But what amazes me,” exclaimed the delicate butterfly, “Is that I’m talking to a predator of the glorious sky!”
The eagle chuckled, “You don’t know me yet, but I’m, in fact, very shy!”
By Edie & Lara
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I” go to the garden
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I pee my pants”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often I go to sleep when I’m bored
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
“a bit weird that when I go to bed I feel cold
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I scream”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I throw my food”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often lie ”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
That nobody really loves me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
The little girl said” I tripped over.”
Said the old lady” I did to.”
“I’ve got no friends” cried the little girl
Said the old lady” Nor do I.”
The Little girl said” I wet my pants.”
“So do I.” said the old woman
“Sometimes I walk into walls.” Said the little girl
Said the old lady “I do that to.”
“But most of all. “Said the little girl” It feels like
I’m the only child in the world. “And she felt the warmth
Of a wrinkled hand” I know what you mean.”
Hi both,
Interesting you changed the gender of both characters. How does this change the poem?
Why do you think Silverstein chose an old man and boy?
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I watch the stars.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I don’t like eating pie.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often doodle.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems that I only like vanilla ice cream.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Said the little girl, “Sometimes I break my cup.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little girl whispered, “I drop my ice cream.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little girl, “I often lose my coat.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the girl, “it seems
that no one wants to be my friend!”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I go on my iPad”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I cry on the street”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often eat fish fingers ”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
that people hate me”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Said the little girl, “Sometimes I break my cup.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little girl whispered, “I drop my ice cream.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little girl, “I often lose my coat.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the girl, “it seems
that no one wants to be friend!”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Connor.W: i like your peom you did a good job well done ! good job!
Hi Safa,
Thank you for taking the time to leave a positive comment on another pupil’s work.
this poem made me feel happy because it shows it dose’t matter how old you are you can still relate so much
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I shout at people.”
Said the old woman, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I kick people”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old woman.
Said the little boy, “I often whimper alone.”
The old woman nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
no one likes me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkly old hug.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old woman.
Please post a comment. 🙂
Interesting idea to change the gender of the character Sam.
How does it alter the poem?
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I trip over my lace .”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I fart on the street.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often lie.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
like every body hates me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man
We also read “The giving tree” In year 4 we read this poem and it has a message to it. It is similar to “The little boy and the little old man” because it has two characters and the tree is kid to the boy so is the little old man. I really enjoyed it and it made me fill happy.
This poem made me feel speechless and happy because it shows it dose’t matter how old you are u can steel relate so much
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I don’t eat any food.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered,” Sometimes I don’t like myself because I cant not do a poo.”
The old man, “I find that hard too!”
“Sometimes I feel like nobody wants me.”
And he felt the love of the wrinkled mans hand
“Trust me they do.” said the man hugging the boy, who was crying
Powerful ending Riley. The sudden change of tone works well.
Keep up the hard work.
These comments are about another Shal Silverstein poem called ‘ The Giving Tree’!
We noticed that this poem is quite similar to ‘The little boy and the old man’ as they both have a young person and an old person in them. At the end of ‘The little boy and the old man’, both characters are friends and this is the same with ‘The giving tree’. What we like about the poem is that it had an interesting storyline and an inspiring message as well. The message was that if you care about someone, that you will be selfless and give them what they desire.
Hi Edie,
It’s always helpful to compare poems by the same poet as you can see themes emerging.
In the Giving Tree, do you think the tree acts for the best?
this is really really good
The poem made me think about my life and really think about how to act around my friends 🙂
That’s interesting Mae. In what way?
The old man said I cry a lot
So do I replied a young boy
I Smash cake on the sometimes whispered the old man
so do I said the boy
Hi Rashard,
Thank you for sharing your poem with us. You’ve got the start of an interesting poem here.
I think it was very pleasant to read your hard work. well done! How is my poem?
Said the little boy”I laugh to much”
Said the old man”I do that too”
Laughed the little boy “I yawn and cough at the same time”
Laughed the old man ” I do that too”
Said the boy,” Sometimes I am a embarrisment in front of my class.
Said the old man,” I always do it everyday in my class to.”
The little boy whispered,” I have a little secret I play my little sister with the prinssec.”
This poem is funny because whatever the little boy does the old man does and this is my own version of the poem.
The little boy said ” I wet my pants
The old man replied ” I do that to.
The little boy said ” I hit myself.
The old man replied “I do the same thing.
And worst of all my mum and dad don’t pay any attention to me.
The old man said ” that’s the same thing.
The little boy and the old man by Ardit
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I sing loud on the streets” “I do that too” said the old man laughing “The little boy whispered “I am quit naughty” so am I ” said the old man
The little boy said “I burp a lot” so do I ” said the old man
“Sometimes I laugh uncontrollably.” Said the little boy.
” I wish I could.” Replied the sad old man.
” I went to the dentist they said I have good teeth.” Gleamed the little boy.
The sad old man dismally said ” Lucky you!”
” I can’t wait to grow old.” Exclaimed the little boy.
“No you don’t!” Shouted the sad old man.
“Yes I do! But I cant because I have… ” Cried the little boy.
The sad old man interrupted,” So do I.”
It’s wonderful to see you sharing your poem. I look forward to seeing more too.
Said the little boy, ”Sometimes I sleep all day.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, ”I dream about the stars”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often trip.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
like I am very weak and frail.
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Caleb, it’s very interesting how you’ve flipped the mood!
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I scream at night because I have nightmares”
Said the old man, “I do that too”
The little boy whispered, “I also spill food down my front when I am nervous”
“I do that too”, laughed the little old man.
Said the boy, “I often trip over my own legs”
The old man nodded “So do I”.
“But worse of all” said the boy, “it seems that when I make a joke nobody laughs.”
and then the boy felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,”said the little old man.
Said the little boy,”sometimes I can’t get out of bed ”
Said the old man,”I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, ”I forget to close the door when I go toilet”
”I do that too,”laughed the little old man”
Said the little boy ,” I often don’t eat my food
The old man nodded ,”so do I .”
”but worst of all ,” said the little boy it seems
that no one ever plays with me”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
”I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Ha. Forgetting to close the door. It makes us smile like the original poem.
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein:
Alone.
Another smile,
Another tear,
Another month,
Another year,
No-one cares,
Nobody comes,
No-one loves,
Nobody dares.
All the world is whizzing by,
Just another lonesome cry.
Then a knock,
There’s someone here!
But this time what comes is a happy tear!
A hug,
A clasp,
But then a goodbye,
But I think of next time,
My oh my!
By Molly O’Hanlon Yerbury Primary School
Year six
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein
“What was life like?” asked the 10 year old boy.
“Well,” said his grandpa, “That’s a long way away.”
“Drawing attention away from my brothers,
And everyone else would want to play.”
“When you went to school,” said 10 year old boy,
“Did you have any friends, or a very nice teacher?”
“More attention,” said Grandpa, “and a few friends,
but my own teacher was more like a preacher.”
“I’m just growing up,” said 10 year old boy.
“But why are you ignored on your teenage years?”
“Often,” Grandpa said, “But a job would play out.
It’s becoming old and elderly that’s near.”
“Are old people boring like what society thinks?
Would you lose attention?” inquired 10 year old boy.
“As a matter of fact we do lose attention.
We are not boring, but we do not have toys.
Everyone should realise that we should be equal
Society should, and will be for elderly people.”
my poem in the style of Shel Silverstein
by Antonio
Old man and child
“sometimes I drop my spoon,” said the child.
“me too, my hands shake to much,”said the old man.
The little child whispered “I wet my pants,”
“I do that when I laugh too much,” giggled the old man
“I’m always tired,” said the child
“Me too,” said the old man with an exhausted voice
“But the worst,I don’t think the adults listen to us,” said the old man quietly
“Yeah,” said the child, as he felt a wrinkly person hugging him, it was the nice old man.
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein
SILENCE
The child said “I fall over on the floor,”
Said the Elder “I do that to,”
The child whispered “I cry a lot!”
Comforted the Elder “So do I.”
Explained the Child “Worst of all adults don’t listen, ever!”
The Elder said “I know what you mean.”
Then quick as a flash, they sat embraced, on the sofa not a sound, saying nothing.
Silence…
By Esther
Hi Esther,
I like your title and the way you save the explanation till the last.
Also interested why you change the old man to elder. I think it works.
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein
“What was life like?” asked the 10 year old boy.
“Well,” said his grandpa, “That’s a long way away.”
“Drawing attention away from my brothers,
And everyone else would want to play.”
“When you went to school,” said 10 year old boy,
“Did you have any friends, or a very nice teacher?”
“More attention,” said Grandpa, “and a few friends,
but my own teacher was more like a preacher.”
“I’m just growing up,” said 10 year old boy.
“But why are you ignored on your teenage years?”
“Often,” Grandpa said, “But a job would play out.
It’s becoming old and elderly that’s near.”
“Are old people boring like what society thinks?
Would you lose attention?” inquired 10 year old boy.
“As a matter of fact we do lose attention.
We are not boring, but we do not have toys.
Everyone should realise that we should be equal
Society should, and will be for elderly people.”
By Yerbury Primary School
The circle of life
When I was a baby I cried.
A lot.
My mum told me I was a pain.
A lot.
But now I’m big, I can do what I like. I can have Mr whippy’s for breakfast and go to bed late at night.
That was then. Not anymore. The world spins by not pulling me along
Once in a while,
The door opens
I see people rushing by,
Not caring to say
Hi. They think I don’t matter
But I do.
my poem in the style of shell Silverstien
By Lola Gardner Yerbury primary school year 6
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein:
Old man and little boy
Said the little boy “sometimes I get stiff legs.”
Said the old man” so do that too.”
The little boy whispered “I wet my pants”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy “I often drop my food.”
The old man nodded
“So do I.”
by Logan Schady Beckett at Yerbury primary school year 6
My poem inspired by Shel Silverstein:
Where?
You have not been around lately,
I thought we were a pair
People say you’ve gone away,
They don’t seem to care
Dismissing me with a wave of their hand,
A similar thing that we share
If perhaps we went away,
They’d just leave us there
Hi Lily, Using rhyme effectively is difficult but you’ve certainly managed it here.
A poem inspired by Shel Silverstein:
Little and Old
Exclaimed the little boy, “Sometimes I fall in the pool!”
Cried the old man, “I do that to you,fool.”
The little boy dreaded, “I wet my pants.”
Nodded the old man, “So do I.”
“But worst of all, know one lets me be with them,”
“I know what you mean,” shredded the little old man!
My poem in Shel Silverstein style:
Old man and child
“sometimes I drop my spoon,” said the child.
“me too, my hands shake to much,”said the old man.
The little child whispered “I wet my pants,”
“I do that when I laugh too much,” giggled the old man
“I’m always tired,” said the child
“Me too,” said the old man with an exhausted voice
“But the worst,I don’t think the adults listen to us,” said the old man quietly
“Yeah,” said the child, as he felt a wrinkly person hugging him, it was the nice old man.
by Antonio Yerbury primary school
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein
“What was life like?” asked the 10 year old boy.
“Well,” said his grandpa, “That’s a long way away.”
“Drawing attention away from my brothers,
And everyone else would want to play.”
“When you went to school,” said 10 year old boy,
“Did you have any friends, or a very nice teacher?”
“More attention,” said Grandpa, “and a few friends,
but my own teacher was more like a preacher.”
“I’m just growing up,” said 10 year old boy.
“But why are you ignored on your teenage years?”
“Often,” Grandpa said, “But a job would play out.
It’s becoming old and elderly that’s near.”
“Are old people boring like what society thinks?
Would you lose attention?” inquired 10 year old boy.
“As a matter of fact we do lose attention.
We are not boring, but we do not have toys.
Everyone should realise that we should be equal
Society should, and will be for elderly people.”
Unfair My poem is in style of Shel Silverstein
“Get away and go to bed!”
The little girl trudged upstairs.
“Old man, just go to your room.”
The Old man trailed upstairs behind her.
As they passed each other on the stairs,
The little girl whispered “It’s not fair.”
The old man replied “I know what you mean.”
By Marni Yerbury Primary School
Hi Marni,
This is powerful. The surprise is in the old man being ordered too.
The little boy and the old man my poem in the style of Shel Silverstien
Said the little boy, “sometimes I spill my food.”
said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered,”I can’t do my shoelaces.”
“I do can’t do them either!” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy “I often sleep too much.”
The old man nodded “so do I,”
“But worst of all,” said the boy” it seems that no one wants to listen to me.”
And he felt the warmth of the wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein.
Old and Young
The sad, little girl looked up at the wrinkled, old man.
And sat down beside him, as quietly as she can.
The old man was sleeping, but when she sat down.
His eyes flickered, then opened,
Then he started to frown.
“ You feel depressed, you feel sad”
“You feel lonely, you feel mad”
The sad, little girl looked up at the old man in awe
Wondering how he could know.
The small old man stared down at the girl
His own eyes all battered and torn.
By Jemima at Yerbury Primary School
Adult, Old and child conversation
“My dad scares me,” said the small boy.
“He scares me to,” replied the old man.
“Get to bed both of you!” shouted the man.
“I don’t want to,” defied the boy.
Run now, run away before he gets more angry!” said the old man,
and as they ran the child and the old man thought” what a grumpy old hag.”
Hi Jasper,
You’ve certainly changed the tone of the poem by adding a third character.
my poem in the style of Shel Silverstein
The boy said” sometimes I forget we’re going somewhere.”
The old man replied” me too.”
“I often can’t get out of bed.” cried the little boy
“I do that too.” admitted the old man.
“I also cry.” whispered the little boy,
“Just like I.” said the little old man.
“but worst of all’” said the boy ,”all the grown-ups just ignore me!”
Then he felt the warmth of understanding as the little old man replied ”I know.”
By Maximilian Yerbury primary school
My poem in the style of Shel silverstein
The little girl and the old woman
The girl said, “Sometimes I drop my cutlery”.
The little old woman replied, “I do that all the time”.
“Sometimes I wet my bed, “the girl murmured.
“So do I,” the woman said.
”I can’t swim at all, “the little girl laughed.
The women giggled “all I do is stand in the pool,”
Then the little old woman picked up the small girl and carefully her carried up the stairs placed her in the bed and tucked her up.
”Goodnight “she said and left the bed.
By Elena Eyres Yerbury
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein
Old and Young
The sad, little girl looked up at the wrinkled, old man.
And sat down beside him, as quietly as she can.
The old man was sleeping, but when she sat down.
His eyes flickered, then opened,
Then he started to frown.
“ You feel depressed, you feel sad”
“You feel lonely, you feel mad”
The sad, little girl looked up at the old man in awe
Wondering how he could know.
The small old man stared down at the girl
His own eyes all battered and torn.
By Jemima at Yerbury primary School
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein.
Lonely
Another smile
Another tear
Another month
Another year
Lots of strangers
Passing by
Just a whimper
Just a cry
Nobody helps
Nobody cares
Nobody comes
Nobody dares
And then a child
He comes to me
A hug
A kiss
Some hope
A wish
By Matilda, Yerbury Primary School
Hi Matilda,
Thank you for sharing your poem with us. You’ve shown with a carefully selected small number of words you can have a great impact.
In the syle of shel silverstine
the little boy and the old man
Said the little boy, “sometimes I lose my raisins.”
Confessed the old man, “I do that to.”
The little boy whispered, “Sometimes I spill my food.”
Laughed the old man, “me too.”
The little boy cried, “I often forget to use the toilet!”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the little boy, “it seems nobody notices me.”
He felt the warmth of a wrinkly hand
“I know what you mean,” said the old man.
by Astha Morris
Yerbury primary school
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstein:
The little boy and the old man
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I forget things,”
Said the old man, “You’re not the only one,”
The little boy whispered, “to get to sleep I need a lullaby,”
“so do I” laughed the little old man,
Said the little boy, “I often sulk in the corner,”
The old man nodded, “I do that too,”
“but worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems,
none of the adults ever listen to me!”
And he felt the warmth of a bony old hand,
“I know how you feel,” cried the little old hand.
By Ava Rogers
Yerbury Primary School
HI Ava,
Thank you for this. I enjoyed some of your alternative lines.
My poem in the style of Shel Silverstine:
The Little girl and the old man
Said the little girl, “Sometimes I spill water all down me.”
Said the old man, “I always do that.”
The little girl wailed, “Everyone finds me annoying and boring.”
“They think that about me too,” chuckled the old man.
“I eat messily,” sniffed the little girl.
The old man sighed “I do that too.”
“But the very worst thing is that,” the little girl whispered “it always seems that people think I am stupid.”
And she felt the warmth of the wrinkled old hand
“I understand,” Said the little old man.
By Jess Parry
Yerbury Primary School
Wow!That’s super good .I like how moving it is.really good.
the little boy and the old man
Said the little boy,” sometimes I spill my water”
Said the old man,” I do that too.
THE LITTLE BOY WHISPERED,” I OFTEN POO IN MY PANTS”
THE OLD MAN NODDED,” SO DO I”
“BUT WORST OF all,” explained the little boy,” nobody likes having me around.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” explained the little old man.
The little boy and the old man
Said the little boy “sometimes I miss the loo”
Said the old man “I do that too”
The little boy whispered “I cry at night”
“I do that too” laughed the little old man
Said the little boy “I often get lonely”
The old man nodded “so do I”
“But worst of all” said the boy “it seems evri body wants to push me aside”
And he felt the wamth of a rinkeld old hand “i knoe what you mean” said the little old man
Hi Lily,
I like the way you’ve introduced a third character through dialogue and we slowly discover who they are and the consequences of their actions.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I sleep during the day”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I always rely on others”
“I do that too,” laughed the old man.
Said the little boy, “I often don’t like eating.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems like people think I’m useless.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man
This is my version of Shel Silverstein’s poem “The little boy and the old man”
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I throw tantrums,”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I get angry easily,”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems like the people don’t care about my actions…”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
The little boy said; “Sometimes I forget”
Said the old man; “Sorry, what are we talking about again” He replied with a chuckle.
The little boy said “Sometimes I feel like no-one wants me around”
“I know how it is,” he replied with a sigh.
“but worst of all,” he continued, “I miss my friends”
The old man rested his warm, wrinkled hand on top of the boy’s
“I live it everyday”
I like how you’ve changed some of the lines. It really adds more emotion to the poem.
This is my poem
Said the little girl,” Sometimes I lie too much.”
Said the little old woman,” I do that too.”
The little girl whispered,” I scream when i see a little spider.”
” I do that too,” laughed the little woman.
Said the little girl,” I often wet the bed.”
The old woman nodded,” So do I.”
” But worst of all,” said the girl,” It seems like nobody likes me.”
And she felt the warmth of the wrinkled old hand.
” I know what you mean,” said the little old woman.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I fall into my own world,”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I sometimes hurt myself for no reason,”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems like the whole world crashes down on me and I don’t know how to get out!”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Said the little boy, ” Sometimes I drop my milk ”
Said the old man,”I did that too.”
The little boy whispered,”I do that as well
“I do that too,” I often do it ”
The old man nodded,” said the boy,” it seems we all do it
And he felt the warmth of wrinkled old hand.
” I know what you mean ,” said the little old man.
Said the little boy,”sometimes I spill my drink”
Said the old man,”I do that to.”
The little boy whispered ,”I have glasses”
“I wear them to,”laughed the old man
Said the little boy,”I often eat sweets.”
The old man said,”I do too.”
Said the little boy,”Sometimes I trip up on the stairs.”
Said the old man,”That has happened to me to.”
The little boy whispered,”I talk in my sleep.”
“I do that to,”laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy,”I often dribble in my sleep.”
The old man nodded,”So do I.”
But worst of all,”I get bullied a lot.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,”said the little old man.
Said the boy ,”sometimes I trip over .”
Said the old man ,” I do that too.”
The little boy whispered ,”I wear a nappy .”
“I do that too ,” laughed the the little old man.
Said the little boy,”I often sleep walk at night.”
The old man nodded ,”so do I .”
“But worst of all , “said the boy ,”it seems like I bang into things even though I can see it”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,”said the little old man.
Said the little boy, “sometimes I ich my hair.”
Said the old man, “I do that to.”
The little boy whispered,”I always ich my bottom,”
” I do that to.”Laughed the old man.
Said the little boy, “I often talk to myself.”
The old man nodded, ” so do I.”
But worst of all,” said the boy, ” it seems that no one wants to listen to my opions”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand
” I know what you mean,”
Said the little old man.
I like the poem called The Little Boy and the Old Man by Shel Silverstein because it was funny and embarrassing . I would recommend this poem to all islington schools. My favourite part is when the little boy whispers to the old man I wet my pants and the old man says I do that too
I have enjoyed this poem by Shel Silverstein.I have enjoyed it because it tells me a message .I think this message is, that no matter how old you are, you can feel the same way as older/younger people.
Theo I like your poem because it inspired me. The poem went deep inside and touched my heart.
great poem
This is my own version of The Little Old Man and The Old Man
Said the little boy “Sometimes I forget important things.”
Said the old man “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered “Sometimes I fart.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy ” I often daydream.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, ” My mummy and daddy are never here for me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean.” Said the little old man.
Said the little boy, ”Sometimes I sleep all day.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, ”I dream about the stars”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often trip.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems
like I am very weak and frail.
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
My recreation of the poem
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I lose my temper.”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I pass out.”
“I do that too,” the old man whispered
The little boy said, “I often wet my pants.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “It seems that no one cares and love me!”
He felt the warmth of a hug by the old man.
“I know what you mean,” said the old man
Said the little boy, “sometimes I do things wrong”
Said the old man, “I do that too”
The little whispered “I smell”
“Same as me” laughed the old man
Said the little boy, “I often fall over”
The old man nodded, “so do I”
“But worst of all” said the boy, “it seems that no one cares about my opinion”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
By Emre
Rotherfield Primary school
The little old man and the little boy
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I play with my tooth”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I like to pass wind”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often trip on a football”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems I get bullied a lot at school”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old man.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
poem frame1
Said the small boy, “sometimes I bend my spoon” said the homeless man, “I do that too.”
The small boy quietly said ”I poop my pants .”I do that too laught the little homeless man. Said the little boy”I often get punched the homeless man nodded so do I .”
“but worst of all”said the boy,” it seems like I have no friends” and I felt the warmth of a wrinkled homeless hand.”I know what you mean, ”said the little homeless man
Said the little boy, “sometimes I pass out”
Said the old man,” I do that too”
The little boy whispered, “I poop my pants”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often spill my soup down my shirt”
The old man nodded,” so do I”
“But worst of all,” said the boy,” it seems I’m the only boy in the world and I’m alone”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man
Said the little boy, ‘’Sometimes I cry in pain.’’
Said the old man, ‘‘I do that too.’’
The little boy whispered, ‘‘ I fall asleep during the day .’’
‘‘I do that too,’’ laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, ‘‘I often feel worried.’’
The old man nodded, ‘‘So do I.’’
‘’but worst of all,’’ said the boy, ‘’it seems that I’m the only person in the world,’’
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
‘’I know what you mean,’’ said the little old man
Said the little girl,” Sometimes I put my shoes on wrong. ”
Said the old lady, “I do that too.”
The little girl whispered ,”I often cry alone.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old lady.
Said the little girl “I often throw my food down my t-shirt”
The old lady nodded “So do I .”
“But worst of all,” said the little girl,” it seems nobody likes me because I’m different than the rest.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean ,”said the little old lady.
Said the little girl “sometime I feel unwanted”
Said the old woman “I do that to”
The little girl whispered “I sleep too much.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little old woman.
Said the little girl “I often feel depressed…”
The old woman nodded “so do I”
“”But worst of all,” said the girl “I feel like everyone wants me to… DIE”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand “I know what you feel”
.
Hi Elizabeth,
You certainly change the tone of the poem with your ending. It makes it more sinister.
The little old man and the little boy!
Said the little boy, “sometimes I wet my pants”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “Sometimes I speak to my teddy.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little Old man.
Said the little boy,” I often feel lonely.”
The old man nodded, “so do I.”
“But worst of all,” Said the boy,” it seems when I fall over and I can’t get up.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
The little old man and the little boy!
Said the little boy, “sometimes I wet my pants”
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “Sometimes I speak to my teddy.”
“I do that too,” laughed the little Old man.
Said the little boy,” I often feel lonely.”
The old man nodded, “so do I.”
“But worst of all,” Said the boy,” it seems when I fall over and I can’t get up.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Poem
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I break things”
said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I secretly cry” “I do that too,” laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often fall over and hurt myself”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But worst of all,” said the boy, “it seems I am alone!” And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
boy and old man
Said the little boy ,”sometimes I talk to myself .“
Said the old man, “I do that too.”
The little boy whispered , “I sing to myself.”
“ I do that too,” laughed the old man.
Said the little boy, “ I often break my things
The old man nodded , “ so do I.”
“ But worst of all ,” said the little boy, “ it seems like nobody pays attention to me.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand. “ I know what you mean ,” said the old man.
By Aneeshah Rotherfield
This is a poem I wrote about a river:
Roaring at you with all its might
If you’re out sailing on a stormy night
Various sized waves drenching the coastline
Emerald water making your eyes shine
Roaring river running towards the bridge to rest.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I can’t sleep at night.”
Said the little old man, ” I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I feel uncomfortable around people.”
I feel that too laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often feel poorer than other people.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But most of all,” said the boy, “it seems I don’t fit in on the earth.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand, “I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I cry for attention.”
Said the little old man, ” I do that too.”
The little boy whispered, “I like sweets.”
I do too laughed the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often fall over.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But most of all,” said the boy, “it seems I haven’t developed the power to walk yet.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand,
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.
Said the little boy, “Sometimes I want to go for a walk on my own.”
Said the little old man, ” I do too.”
The little boy whispered, “I feel uncomfortable around strangers.”
I feel like that too admitted the little old man.
Said the little boy, “I often wonder about things I do not know.”
The old man nodded, “So do I.”
“But most of all,” said the boy, “it seems like they’re happier than us these days.”
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand,
“I know what you mean,” said the little old man.