I can write a poem in 10 minutes. I like writing songs; I can write songs in 5 or 10 minutes. My concentration seems very short.
Shel SilversteinRead
I couldn't play ball. I couldn't dance. Luckily, the girls didn't want me. Not much I could do about that. So I started to draw and to write. By the time I got to where I was attracting girls, I was already into work, and it was more important to me.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects finding one's passion and purpose when faced with challenges in social interactions.
Shel Silverstein shares the sentiment of discovering one's creative outlets in the face of social struggles. Rather than being disheartened by his inability to engage in popular activities like sports and dance, he turned to drawing and writing, which eventually became more significant in his life. This emphasizes the idea that personal growth and fulfillment can arise from adversity, leading to a deeper commitment to one's passions.
Themes
ArtCreativityPassionSelf-DiscoveryGrowth
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire students in an art class to pursue their passions despite challenges.
More from Shel Silverstein
All quotes →i made myself a snowball As perfect as can be. I thought I'd keep it as a pet, And let it sleep with me. I made it some pajamas And a pillow for it's head. Then last night it ran away, But first - It wet the bed.
Shel SilversteinRead
Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.
Shel SilversteinRead
I will not play tug o' war. I'd rather play hug o' war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.
Shel SilversteinRead
Pirate Captain Jim "Walk the plank," says Pirate Jim "But Captain Jim, I cannot swim." "Then you must steer us through the gale." "But Captain Jim, I cannot sail." "Then down with the galley slaves you go." "But Captain Jim, I cannot row." "Then you must be the pirate's clerk." "But Captain Jim, I cannot work.
Shel SilversteinRead
Each time I see the Upside-Down Man Standing in the water, I look at him and start to laugh, Although I shouldn't oughtter. For maybe in another world Another time Another town, Maybe HE is right side up And I am upside down
Shel SilversteinRead
Similar quotes
I've always sought to express a tension in form and meaning in order to achieve a veracity. I have come to the conclusion that the art world has to join us, women artists, not we join it. When women are in leadership roles and gain rewards and recognition, then perhaps 'we' (women and men) can all work together in art world actions.
Nancy SperoRead
I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?
Alan ArkinRead
Great art is never produced for its own sake. It is too difficult to be worth the effort.
George Bernard ShawRead
I came to poetry through the urgent need to denounce injustice, exploitation, humiliation. I know that's not enough to change the world. But to remain silent would have been a kind of intolerable complicity.
Tahar Ben JellounRead
Everything that happened to me as a child involved music. It was part of everyday life, as automatic as breathing.
Nina SimoneRead
In journalism, a fact is just a fact. But in fiction, you have to build your case. It has to be made, step by step.
Edward P. JonesRead