The Generals Poem by Shel Silverstein

The Generals

Rating: 2.7


Said General Clay to General Gore,
'Oh must we fight this silly war?
To kill and die is such a bore.'
'I quite agree,' said General Gore.
Said General Gore to General Clay,
'We could go to the beach today
And have some ice cream on the way.'
'A grand idea,' said General Clay.
Said General Gore to General Clay,
'But what if the sea is closed today?
And what if the sand's been blown away?'
'A dreadful thought,' said General Clay.
Said General Gore to General Clay,
'I've always feared the ocean's spray,
And we may drown!' 'It's true, we may.
It chills my blood,' said General Clay.
Said General Clay to General Gore,
'My bathing suit is slightly tore.
We'd better go on with our war.'
'I quite agree,' said General Gore.
Then General Clay charged General Gore
As bullets flew and cannons roared.
And now, alas! there is no more
Of General Clay or General Gore.

COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Jose Gonzalez 01 April 2023

The tree gives and gives and is not bitter because the boy only comes around when he needs something. No ego, no pride, this tree. But the boy is a man now and at every stage he needed something different from this tree and she provided it sort if like our parents

2 0 Reply
Rhonda Blanton 27 April 2018

I think the both of them should have went to the beach.

8 2 Reply
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Shel Silverstein

Shel Silverstein

Chicago/ Illinois
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