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Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends.

Analysis

‘Where the Sidewalk Ends’ is a three-stanza poem that depicts the adult world as something harsh and demanding, in contrast to a more childlike mentality that can provide a break from the responsibilities and pressures of being an adult. The sounds, senses, and word choices within the poem build the contrast to a distinct level to entice the reader to let go of adulthood long enough to find a break in youthful imagination. This contrast and invitation are the key elements to the poem, and the method of delivery is too striking to overlook those concepts.

Questions

What does the phrase "Where the sidewalk ends" mean in the poem?
How does the author use imagery in the poem to create a sense of adventure and mystery?
What is the purpose of the repetition of the phrase "Where the sidewalk ends" throughout the poem?

About

"Where the Sidewalk ends" is a children poem written by Shel Silverstein in 1974. It’s equally a collection of poems. Silverstein was actually a songwriter, an author and a children’s poet. When the poem was first published in 1974, it became well known as a classic poem for kids in several nations. It was translated into over 20 languages. In several nations today, the poem is used in classrooms as part of introduction to children's poetry.

Structure

The poem is written in 3 stanzas with definite rhyme scheme. The poet wrote the poem with dactylic dimeter. He used repetition, imagery, metaphors and other poetic devices in conveying his message. The tone in the poem is quite positive and inspiring.

The Meaning

Several interpretations and analysis have been made concerning the poem. However, a general conclusion has already been drawn on the actual meaning of the poem. Silverstein wrote the poem for children but many of the ideas expressed in the poem are actually meant for adults. For instance, he made allusions about the fact that adults live in a dark world full of depression while children live in a joyful and lively world. He maintains that adults need to take a step back and use the mindset of children in order to locate joy and happiness just as the kids have. The poet begins the poem by pinpointing the actual place where the sidewalk ends. For him, the place can only be reached through imagination. Hence, it’s all about the function of the human mind and how people view the universe. Finding the place where the sidewalks ends is not actually finding a real place. It’s all about achieving a good state of mind. Silverstein describes the adult world in second stanza as a far cry from the actual place where the sidewalks ends. For him, the smoke blows black and the dark streets bend in the adult place.

In the third stanza, the poet encourages adult to open up their minds in locating the true place where the sidewalks ends. He opines that only children actually know the place. He is simply referring to the joyful and stress-free world of children. The poet encourages adult to behave like children so that can get to the place where the sidewalk ends.

In all, the "Where the Sidewalk Ends" can be interpreted as a place of joy and peace. It’s not actually a real physical place. It’s simply having a mindset of a child. When adult adopts such a mindset, they are sure to find joy and true peace. Adults have to abandon their tainted mindset that is full of distress and focus on achieving the mindset of kids that is full of joy.

Literary Devices

Shel Silverstein uses a number of different literary devices throughout this poem to describe in depth the process of growing from a youthful enthusiastic child, to the bleak and grey life of adulthood, and all the things that come with the transition process.

- Imagery: This device is used the most throughout the poem with the descriptive words put in place to put an image of what is going on inside the head of the audience. an example of imagery used in this poem is from line 2-4, "And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white, And there the sun burns crimson bright".

- Metaphor: This device is used to develop a sense of beauty in a place of ugliness. An example of this is on line 9, "asphalt flowers".

- Diction: This device is used when the poet is describing the sidewalk to be a magical and beautiful place, but then uses darker and more bland words to describe where he currently is in his life.

- Juxtaposition: Changing from a bright whimsical place, this being the sidewalk, to a dark and gritty place , being the city and current place of the poet.

- Symbolism: Symbolism is used throughout the entire poem, because the sidewalk represents childhood, and the street represents adulthood.

Theme

One of the most evident themes in this poem is "Youth". I say youth because throughout the poem Shel Silverstein is describing the joy of living life as a child when everything is colorful, energetic, exciting, and fun. But then as adulthood comes nearer and nearer we lose the grasp of the simple things that keep a person sane, and just get swallowed up by the stress of being an adult and living in an uneventful and boring life.

Tone

The tone of "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is exuberant at first when expressing the happiness of the sidewalk and youthfulness and childhood, but as we move on and get further into the poem we see a shift in the tone from happy to sad and dark. The transition period of entering adulthood is where the tone takes a turn and becomes darker as the poet describes the reality of being an adult and what it lacks.

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