Sheldon Allen Silverstein, born in 1930’s Chicago, is to this day one of the most salient children’s authors and can be found in homes and libraries worldwide. He was unaccustomed to poetry as a child, but nevertheless had an aspiration to compose many works as he grew older. Silverstein was nominated for both the Golden Globe and the Academy Award in 1991, only eight years before his death. Through his decades, he accumulated an outstanding writing resume, including scripts, musical compositions, books, cartoons, and poetry, for which he is best admired (Humanities, no p). Shel Silverstein intensely respected blunt honesty, originality, and unpredictable stories. Although unnerving at times, the works of Silverstein have an illimitable and ageless appeal and include many reoccurring themes such as never compromise oneself, accept the beauty of imperfections, and people are not always who they appear to be. While “The Voice,” a poem by Silverstein, wields uncomplicated vocabulary, it is brimming with underlying meanings. Silverstein used an array of literary devices and manages to make a short poem into much more than it seems on the surface. “The Voice” is about listening to one’s conscience and rejecting outer influences that oppose the inner voice. While it was…show more content… His works include many reoccurring themes such as never compromise oneself, accept the beauty of imperfections, and people are not always who they appear to be. Silverstein once said, "Don't be dependent on anyone else—man, woman, child, or dog. I want to go everywhere, look at and listen to everything. You can go crazy with some of the wonderful stuff there is in life" (Superstardom, no p). On May 10th, 1999, Shel died of heart failure. His personal freedom was something that was vital to him, and his philosophy on life will continue to outlive his 68 years on Earth (Superstardom, no