R2 Thoughts for You S2 – A Product Of Silverstein & Seuss
Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda
By Shel Silverstein
All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
Layin’ in the sun,
Talkin’ ’bout the things
They woulda coulda shoulda done…
But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas
All ran away and hid
From one little Did.
In my past life, as a teacher, I would often use the above poem by Shel Silverstein to emphasize to my students the need to do assignments in a timely manner. I’m sure you can remember times when someone said to you: I woulda… , or I coulda…. or I shoulda… done “such and such.”
It seems to me that this poem is an excellent personal mantra to ward off procrastination. Anytime one is faced with “putting things off to another time,” s/he should say the poem to her/himself. It’s cute and to the point.
The poem is from Silverstein’s book Falling Up, published in 1996. It contains many good poems but the “Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda” poem is my favorite. I find Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss to be two very interesting poets. They both appeal to children and also are very popular with adults.
OK, so I’ve mentioned Dr. Seuss (real name, Theodor Seuss Geisel) and I’ll bet you are wondering if I have a favorite from him.
Yep, I do, in fact two,
and here they are, especially for you. :-)
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“Today you are You,
that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is
You-er than You.”
-Dr. Seuss
“Be who you are and say what you feel
Because those who mind don’t matter
and those who matter don’t mind.”
-Dr. Seuss
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If thinking requires food, then Silverstein and Seuss provide “organic” food for thought.
Just my opinion – what do you think?
Shel Silverstein
Dr. Seuss
R2 Thoughts for You 