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The Voice

Shel Silverstein 1930 (Chicago) – 1999

There is a voice inside of you
that whispers all day long,
"I feel that this is right for me,
I know that this is wrong."
No teacher, preacher, parent, friend
or wise man can decide
what's right for you - just listen to
the voice that speaks inside.

About this poem

Shel Silverstein's 'The Voice' is an example of a poem that uses simple language in a lighthearted manner to illumine the themes of finding one's own path and embodying and valuing one's uniqueness. 'The Voice' will find an audience with anyone who has faced the pressures of conforming to society or been faced with considering whether to give credence to external influences. It encourages those individuals to listen to their inner voice and instincts and to be more self-reliant.  

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Submitted by JokerGem on April 23, 2024

15 sec read
10

Quick analysis:

Scheme ABCBDEAE
Closest metre Iambic tetrameter
Characters 249
Words 52
Stanzas 1
Stanza Lengths 8
Full analysis for The Voice »

Shel Silverstein

Sheldon Allan Silverstein was an American writer, poet, cartoonist, singer-songwriter, musician, and playwright. Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, Silverstein briefly attended university before being drafted into the United States Army. more…

All Shel Silverstein poems | Shel Silverstein Books

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"The Voice" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 1 Jun 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/185892/the-voice>.

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