“Ridiculous Rose” by Shel Silverstein

 

Paraphrase: Rose's mother scolds her not to eat with her fingers, so ridiculous Rose decides to eat with her toes.

 

Attitude: The poem is playful and silly in tone. It provokes joy and amusement; it is fun and just like the rebellious nature of childhood creativity.

 

Shift: The shift occurs when Rose responds to her mother's instruction. The unexpected twist of eating with her toes adds humor and surprise, showing her quirky way of following the rule.

 

Opinion: This is a fine example of a Silverstein poem because he tries to make it funny even while the most obvious, mundane subject matters. I am absolutely in awe with the way it will prompt readers' thoughts to try something different yet uniquely themselves-and light-hearted about it, too. Although short, the result is usually a long-lasting smile.

 

Recommendation: Yes! Funny, relatable even to kids and adults, easy read, puts joy in someone's heart.