Whatif - A poem by Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein - Whatif

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!

Added: on October 12th, 2007 at 7:56 AM | Viewed: 178271 times | Comments and analysis of Whatif by Shel Silverstein Comments (56)

Whatif - Comments and Information
Poet: Shel Silverstein Poem: Whatif Volume: A Light in the Attic Year: Published/Written in 1981 Comment 56 of 56, added on April 15th, 2008 at 5:26 PM. I think it's a great poem to read and that all people should worrie about things like that.=) The reason I'm reading all of the Shel Silverstien book/poems is because in grade 5 and 6 we need to write poetry and poetry anologys for our teachers and the school board! It's pretty annoying like that though... Isaak from Canada Comment 55 of 56, added on November 16th, 2007 at 10:22 AM. i love this poem cuz when i was little i always thought of whaat if i think that this is such a great poem for the world christain from United States Comment 54 of 56, added on October 12th, 2007 at 7:56 AM. Nothing like reading a good Shel Silverstein poem to cheer you up after reading edgar allen Poe all day.... Al from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Whatif, has received 56 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Shel Silverstein with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Shel Silverstein Poem: Whatif Volume: A Light in the Attic Year: Published/Written in 1981 Last read: May 14 2008, 10:13AM Viewed 178271 times. Added on October 12th, 2007 at 7:56 AM.

Silverstein Info
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