Sick ‘I cannot go to school today,’
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
‘I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox
And there’s one more – that’s seventeen,
And don’t you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue –
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke –
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button’s caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained,
My ‘pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my spine is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is –
what? What’s that? What’s that you say?
You say today is … Saturday?
G’bye, I’m going out to play!’
"Sick" by Shel Silverstein is a humorous and whimsical poem that playfully explores the concept of pretending to be sick to avoid responsibilities. Through its light-hearted language and imaginative scenarios, the poem captures the mischievous nature of childhood and the creative ways in which children might try to avoid doing things they don't want to do.
The poem's title, "Sick," immediately suggests the theme of feigning illness. The speaker describes a variety of outlandish and amusing symptoms, ranging from "a head that's achin'" to "tooth that's achin'" to "belly that's achin'." This exaggeration adds to the poem's comical tone and reflects the creative and imaginative mindset of a child.
The poem's repetitive structure, with each stanza beginning with "I cannot go to school today," creates a rhythmic and engaging pattern. The repetition emphasizes the speaker's insistence on not being able to attend school due to the exaggerated symptoms.
Silverstein's playful language and wordplay, such as "I have the measles and the mumps" and "I have a bad case of the 2-day flu," contribute to the poem's lighthearted and humorous mood.
The poem concludes with the speaker's declaration that they are "so contagious" and that others should stay away. This humorous exaggeration further adds to the playful nature of the poem and the imaginative world the speaker has constructed.
"Sick" is a delightful exploration of childhood imagination and the clever ways in which children might try to avoid responsibilities. Through its whimsical language and exaggerated scenarios, the poem captures the spirit of childhood playfulness and the joy of creating imaginative excuses. The poem reminds readers of the simplicity and humor that can be found in everyday situations, even in the face of tasks that might seem undesirable.
