Tuesday, February 24, 2015

G is for Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and Graduation

ABC Wednesday
The letter is G
and it's all about Ted  (Theodor)  Geisel and Graduation







Starting with Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss as he is known to millions of readers of all ages) and the wonderful poems he wrote to delight his readers,  I am thinking in particular about the last poem he wrote at the end of his life, when he was battling cancer.

"Oh, the Places You'll Go"

It is well known and most appropriate to those starting out in life, at birth, or about the beginning of a new venture, - say after Graduation, and his little book containing the poem is a popular gift for new babies and those preparing to leave school behind and face the Great Unknown.....

"Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own.  And you know what you know
And YOU are the guy who'll decided where to go

You'll look up and down streets.  Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

.......................

Dr. Seuss is not all roses and honey.  He acknowledges the challenges
and the loneliness we might encounter...

I'm afraid that some times
you'll pllay lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not.
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot

And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

But on you will go......

....................

Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You'll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of guy!

...................

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed)

..............

A great and encouraging overview of what lies ahead and how to deal with it, told in the kind of verse that keeps you reading and amused and challenged.

Sometimes when I stir in my sleep at night and reach for the hand that is no longer there I waken and think of Dr. Seuss and his poem (poignantly) and the possibilities it opens 
no matter where you are on time's schedule..

Oh, the Places you'll Go

I suppose the die-hard materialist would have little choice - you go up in flame or decompose.  But for those whose mind is open to other options - 

Who knows?  Who knows?

You just never know Where You Will Go, or what adventures await.

If you would like to hear the whole poem read here is a nice Youtube rendition....



More Gs here at ABC Wednesday

with thanks to  Denise and Roger and Gallant helpers.



13 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

What a lovely and comforting post Hildred. My son and I loved 'The Cat in the Hat comes Back' when he was a boy - we read it hundreds of times. Charming poems and so true - my goodness, he knew a thing or two about life didn't he? Thanks for showing this side of him to me.

Penny said...

something to think about.

ellen b. said...

Great choice for the letter G!

Roger Owen Green said...

I'm forever fascinated by Dr. Seuss!

ROG, ABCW

Trubes said...

Hildred,
that was so moving, and so true.
I too connect Dr. Seuss with children's stories and have read many with our girls when they were small, the now read them to their children.
I must pass this on to my girls, I know they will appreciate it.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
Best wishes,
Di,
ABCW team.

Reader Wil said...

This ia true for it describes all the stages of life. In the beginning after my husband passed away, I reached out my hand in the middle of the night to that empty place next to me. You will have had the same experience.
Well fortunately we can go on in a different way.
I wish you a great week. Thanks for your poetry.
Wil, ABCW

Joy said...

What a wonderful thing to leave at the end of his life. I like the visual elements as well as the reading of the You Tube clip.

Shady Gardener said...

"Dr. Seuss" offered much wisdom and insight in many of his books. Delightfully so! :-)

Louisette said...

nice post for G,Greeting from Belgium
http://louisette.eklablog.com/

Su-sieee! Mac said...

This is the first time for me to learn about this poem. Thank you very much! I love it. This just might replace my favorite all-time poem of his -- Hands, Hands, Fingers, Thumb
:-)
The View from the Top of the Ladder

Rosy said...

Never knew about these last poems of his, I always thought he only wrote children poems. I really enjoy this post very much, thank you for sharing.

Please come on over and check out my blog for the letter G.

Lmkazmierczak said...

Wonderful tribute...am reading lots of Seuss to my Grandchild now♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/grandly-glorious/

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh Hildred. I'll just say thank you. Because I'm torn between smiles and tears and am nearly wordless.