Shel Silverstein

One Inch Tall

If you were only one inch tall, you'd ride a worm to school. The teardrop of a crying ant would be your swimming pool. A crumb of cake would be a feast And last you seven days at least, A flea would be a frightening beast If you were one inch tall. If you were only one inch tall, you'd walk beneath the door, And it would take about a month to get down to the store. A bit of fluff would be your bed, You'd swing upon a spider's thread, And wear a thimble on your head If you were one inch tall. You'd surf across the kitchen sink upon a stick of gum. You couldn't hug your mama, you'd just have to hug her thumb. You'd run from people's feet in fright, To move a pen would take all night, (This poem took fourteen years to write- 'Cause I'm just one inch tall) .

Elise Bell
Elise Bell January 08. 2025

It is really interesting how this poem is talking about the change of perspective that would occur from becoming one inch tall. Our perspective of how far away things are and what is a lot of food would change. Silverstein’s use of satirical humor is both hilarious and enlightening to the underlying topic.

8/2200 - 0