Poem Analysis - Ickle Me Pickle Me Tickle Me Too

A Whimsical Journey into the Unknown

Shel Silverstein's "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too" is a lighthearted and fantastical poem that tells the story of three whimsical characters embarking on an extraordinary adventure. The poem begins with a playful and energetic tone, inviting the reader into a world of imagination and possibility. However, the ending introduces a subtle shift in mood, leaving the reader with a sense of mystery and perhaps even a touch of melancholy as the characters disappear into the unknown. It is a journey of three friends that never get to return to their home. A journey to the never-never land.

The Allure of Adventure and Escape

One of the main themes explored in the poem is the allure of adventure and the desire to escape the mundane. The three characters, Ickle Me, Pickle Me, and Tickle Me Too, are not bound by the ordinary. They embark on a journey in a "flying shoe," a symbol of whimsical transportation that defies logic and practicality. The repeated exclamations of "Hooray!" "What fun!" and "It's time we flew!" emphasize their enthusiasm and eagerness to embrace the unknown. The poem is a representation of the adventure that everybody is looking for.

The Fleeting Nature of Childhood Wonder

The poem also touches upon the fleeting nature of childhood wonder and imagination. The whimsical names of the characters and the absurdity of their mode of transportation evoke a sense of childlike innocence and playfulness. However, their disappearance suggests that this carefree spirit is not sustainable in the face of reality. The final stanza, "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too/Never returned to the world they knew," implies a loss of innocence or a transition into adulthood, where the boundaries of imagination become more rigid. The poem, therefore, can be read as a meditation on growing up and the challenges of holding onto the magic of childhood.

The Ambiguity of the Ending and its Significance

The ending of the poem is deliberately ambiguous, leaving the reader to wonder about the fate of Ickle Me, Pickle Me, and Tickle Me Too. The line "And nobody knows what's happened to/Dear Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me too" creates a sense of mystery and uncertainty. Did they find a new, even more wondrous world beyond the sun and the blue? Or did their adventure lead to unforeseen consequences? This ambiguity contributes to the poem's overall message, suggesting that the pursuit of adventure can be both exhilarating and risky. It also raises questions about the nature of dreams and whether they can ever truly be realized in the face of reality. It leaves a lingering sense of what if.

A Lasting Impression of Boundless Imagination

In conclusion, "Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too" is a deceptively simple poem that explores themes of adventure, escape, and the fleeting nature of childhood wonder. Through its whimsical imagery, playful tone, and ambiguous ending, the poem invites readers to embrace their imagination and consider the potential risks and rewards of pursuing their dreams. Silverstein's poem, with its light rhythm, delivers a story that invites the reader to think about where their dreams may lead, even if it means never returning. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder that the greatest adventures often lie beyond the boundaries of the known, even if those adventures end up with the travelers gone forever, with nobody knowing where they are, or what has happened to them.