Poem Analysis Shel Silverstein

Ickle Me, Pickle Me, Tickle Me Too

By Shel Silverstein

The easy to remember rhyming of the poem induces a feeling of childish atmosphere but at a second or third reading makes us realizes that the simple common words actually carry a deeper meaning. It is a message meant to encourage people to free their imagination and be willing to try new things.

The rhyme, rhythm and repetition of the lines all contribute to the creation of a happy, full of excitement attitude (“Hooray!", "What fun!") which makes the reader enjoy the experience of the three characters as if they were right there next to them.

Towards the end of the poem, however, Ickle Me, Pickle Me and Tickle Me, who “flew over the sun and beyond the blue”, never returned from their adventure and no one knows what has happened to them. So, it seems that things ended unexpectedly for the adventurous heroes of the poem.

Reading this poem has made me realize how great it is to let your imagination free and allow yourself to always try out new experiences, no matter how they may end. I strongly recommend this poem to all the people who need to be reminded that life has to be filled with excitement, joy and constant adventures.