Dive In! Thu, May 04, 2017
You’ve been up on that diving board
Making sure that it’s nice and straight.
You’ve made sure that it’s not too slick.
You’ve made sure it can stand the weight.
You’ve made sure that the spring is tight.
You’ve made sure that the cloth won’t slip.
You’ve made sure that it bounces right,
And that your toes can get a grip– –
And you’ve been up there since half past five
Doin’ everything … but DIVE.
You’ve made sure that it’s not too slick.
You’ve made sure it can stand the weight.
You’ve made sure that the spring is tight.
You’ve made sure that the cloth won’t slip.
You’ve made sure that it bounces right,
And that your toes can get a grip– –
And you’ve been up there since half past five
Doin’ everything … but DIVE.
- Shel Silverstein
While working as a children's author and poet, Shel Silverstein gave us works such as The Giving Tree, Falling Up, and Where the Sidewalk Ends. His work is silly and imaginative, but also poignant and relatable. This poem reminds me that in life, excuses will keep you stalled and standing on the "diving board." The only way to prevent that is to dive in!
