Shel Silverstein

Tryin' on Clothes

Tryin' on Clothes - meaning Summary

Comfort in Simple Belonging

This short, playful poem describes a speaker sampling different roles by literally trying on clothing and objects: a farmer's hat and a dancer's shoes feel wrong. Through these small experiments the speaker rejects imposed identities and discovers comfort in natural simplicity—the summer sun and bare grass. The poem frames self-discovery as tactile, childlike exploration and suggests authenticity comes from feeling at home in nature rather than adopting mismatched roles.

Read Complete Analyses

I tried on the farmer's hat, Didn't fit... A little too small -- just a bit Too floppy. Couldn't get used to it, Took it off. I tried on the dancer's shoes, A little too loose. Not the kind you could use for walkin'. Didn't feel right in 'em, Kicked 'em off. I tried on the summer sun, Felt good. Nice and warm -- knew it would. Tried the grass beneath bare feet, Felt neat. Finally, finally felt well dressed, Nature's clothes fit me best.

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