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Shel Silverstein has some amazing poems! Check out which poem fits with your enneagram type in these Shel Silverstein Poems for Each Enneagram Type.
Who remembers reading Shel Silverstein as a kid? He wrote so many great books: The Giving Tree, Where The Sidewalk Ends, Runny Babbit, and so many many more!
I matched a Silverstein poem with each enneagram types however these are by no means perfect matches for each enneagram type. Obviously, Shel Silverstein didn’t create these poems with enneagram types in mind.
These poems just fit some of the traits or motives of the nine enneagram types.
Are they perfect fits? Probably not. Especially for those how are a counter subtype of their enneagram number.
This is just a way to have a bit of fun with the enneagram (and to get you hooked on Shel Silverstein!)
Shel Silverstein Poems For Each Enneagram Type
Type 1 Silverstein Poem
Hinges – from A Light in the Attic
“If we had hinges on our heads
There wouldn’t be no sin,
‘Cause we could take the bad stuff out
And leave the good stuff in.”
Type 2 Silverstein Poem
Hug ‘O War – from Where The Sidewalk Ends
“I will not play at tug o’ war.
I’d rather play at hug o’ war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs,
Where everyone giggles
And rolls on the rug,
Where everyone kisses,
And everyone grins,
And everyone cuddles,
And everyone wins.”
Type 3 Silverstein Poem
Underface – from Every Thing On It
“Underneath my outside face
There’s a face that none can see.
A little less smiley,
A little less sure,
But a whole lot more like me.”
Type 4 Silverstein Poem
Spider – from Every Thing On It
“A spider lives inside my head
Who weaves a strange and wondrous web
Of silken threads and silver strings
To catch all sorts of flying things,
Like crumbs of thoughts an bits of smiles
And specks of dried-up tears,
And dust of dreams that catch and cling
For years and years and years…”
Type 5 Silverstein Poem
Weird Bird – from Falling Up
“Birds are flyin’ south for winder.
Here’s the Weird-Bird headin’ north,
Wings a-flappin’, beak a-chatterin’,
Cold head bobbin’ back ‘n’ forth.
He says, “It’s not that I like ice
Or freezin’ winds and snowy grounds.
It’s just sometimes it’s kind of nice
To be the only bird in town.”
Type 6 Silverstein Poem
Whatif – from A Light in the Attic
“Last night, while I lay thinking here,
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long
And sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I’m dumb in school?
Whatif they’ve closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there’s poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don’t grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won’t bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don’t grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
The nighttime Whatifs strike again!”
Type 7 Silverstein Poem
Put Something In – from A Light in the Attic
“Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-gumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
‘Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That ain’t been there before.”
Type 8 Silverstein Poem
Listen to the Mustn’ts – from Where The Sidewalk Ends
“Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me –
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be.”
Type 9 Silverstein Poem
Happy Ending? – from Every Thing On It
“There are no happy endings.
Endings are the saddest part,
So just give me a happy middle
And a very happy start.”
As fun as it is to find a poem or movie quotes that fit our types, that of course, is not where the real growth is.
If you are wanting more information that will help you learn more about your type, check out these posts:
The Core Motivations
How to Get Along With Each Type
The Centers of Intelligence
I’m a 9 and I love the poem you picked! I read a lot of romance for the happily ever afters. I like to imagine the characters continuing on, that their story really isn’t at an end.
I’m an 8 and the poem you picked used to be one of my favorites as a kid. This brought back a lot of memories!
The 8 poem really captures what being an 8 is all about!