As of recent, I've been really analyzing the poem entitled Where The Sidewalk Ends. It's strange because, I've heard this poem countless times and read it even more times. Yet, just now, it's beauty has really hit me and I'm not quite sure why. I suppose it could be because I was initially interpreting the poem incorrectly. Although, as with any poem, I think the beauty lies within making sense of the poem based on your own perspective and human experiences. I also think sometimes it can take years for a poem to make sense or profoundly impact you in the way it is meant to. I suppose, interpretation grows with maturity, life changes and new challenges. 

Regardless, as I read this poem again tonight as I begin to prepare for a new school year, I was just struck by the place Silverstein is talking about. This place of asphalt flowers and peppermint wind. Almost-looking at the world as a child does. In some ways, I always laugh because as teachers we pride ourselves on creating "deep-thinking" future citizens and really, it is children that are the truly professional deep thinkers because it requires a more flexible perspective on the world. Sadly, we lose some of this flexible perspective as we become older. 

I'm captivated by every line in this poem. However, the most captivating line is the repeated line at the end of the second and third stanza "we will walk with a walk that is measured and slow." It's almost this idea that we have the power to stop time if we wish. We can go over the rolling hills and step through the asphalt flowers and find peace in the peppermint wind. It's interesting to think that maybe we are the ones that speed up time when, in reality, we can slow it down only if we try. A powerful message of noticing simplicity and beauty or perhaps discovering that where the sidewalk ends has always existed, but we have been too busy to follow the arrows. We haven't even noticed what we have been missing. Something to think about.