SICK

Analyses:
'Sick, by Shel Silverston is a humorous poem of a young school girl,Peggy Ann McKay and all of her hypochondriac excuses to have a day off school. Particularly funny is when she complains "My belly button's caving in" and "My elbow is bent". Penny Ann is even trying to make normal body features an illness. Everyone has a bent elbow and most have a caved in belly button!
After all of Peggy Ann's excuses she is interrupted to be told that it was a Saturday, where she immediately stops complaining "G'bye, I'm going out to play!".
I can relate to this poem, especially on days when I would rather stay at home. I like the creative excuses, they may come in handy!

How does the poem grow?
The poem Sick, grows each stanza. The sick excuses get more and more ridiculous.Eg. "My tonsils are as big as rocks"(stanza 1)
"my 'pendix pains each time it rains"(stanza 2)
and "my temperature is one-o-eight" (stanza3)
The rhyme scheme running throughout, adds to the musical tone and child like voice of Penny Ann with all her complaints making the poem light hearted and fun rather than one of woe.
"I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash and purple bumps," and "My leg is cut --my eyes are blue-- it might be instamatic flu."

"MY TONSILS ARE AS BIG AS ROCKS"

• Simile.
• represents a clear and familiar image of the qualities shared by the two things being compared.
• It tell us that the girls tonsils are inflamed and infected.

"MY PENDIX PANIS EACH TIME IT RAINS"

• Hyperbole.
• Exaggerates meaning to make qualities stand out and be remembered.
• This shows that Penny Ann is stating her appendix pains her when it starts to rain.
• Other examples are: "my brain is shrunk," and "my tongue is filling my mouth".

"MY TEMPERATURE IS ONE-O-EIGHT"

• Hyperbole.
• exaggerates meaning to make qualities stand out and be remembered.
• The girl is implying that her body temperature is one hundred and eight degrees.

In conculsion, I consider the poem Sick by Shel Silverstein is a great read. This poem appeals to all age groups - young and old. I think this because of the running theme of avoiding something we don't wish to do. Even though the poem expresses this in a childish fun way! It is still relevant to all. Silverstein is telling us to perhaps have our facts in order prior to making an argument for a what we are fighting for. Also, he is showing the comical side of children's antics to avoid a situation.