In Memory of Shel Silverstein

It's ten years ago this year that Shel Silverstein died. I remember how crestfallen I was when I first heard the news, but I honestly didn't remember it until a friend of mine read a poem by old Uncle Shelby last week in a poetry class. And then I remembered everything, and learned some new stuff, too.
Lots of people forget what an accomplished singer and songwriter he was, along with being a poet, an author of children's books, and a Playboy columnist (Stephen King's in good company in that respect).
There's videos out there with Shel rockin' out on the Johnny Cash show with Cash himself. I forgot how scratchy and odd-sounding his voice was. But Shel and Cash were buddies, and out of their partnership was born possibly the best country song of all time.



Here's Loretta Lynn singing "One's On The Way," also by Shel. And on the Muppet Show, no less!



Great Big Sea, doing a cover of "The Mermaid," which first appeared as a poem when Silverstein worked for Playboy.



And finally, an animated version of The Giving Tree. I forget how beautiful this story is.



RIP, Uncle Shelby.
But I made a vow to the moon and stars