80 Comments
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Sheri Handel's avatar

Well-done tribute, Beth! Love the spirit of this Stack, Kelsey. Thank you both.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks so much, Sheri!

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Charlotte Hamilton's avatar

How did I miss this… Beth your Poem is wonderful! And Kelsey I love this idea. letters to Dead artists…

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Charlotte, please let me know if you’d like to contribute a letter!!! I’ve admired and followed your work forever!

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Charlotte Hamilton's avatar

Oh I’d Love to Kelcey, thank you. I already know who I will write to.☺️

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Wonderful! I’ll send you a message.

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Beth Spencer's avatar

Thank you, friend! 🫶 I can’t believe how much I loved writing it and drawing his big, bald head so many times until I got it right (using tips from your portrait lessons!). 😬

Who will you write to?!

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Charlotte Hamilton's avatar

I think I’ll start with my Great Aunt who was a Fashion Illustrator in the 1920’s .

I have so many questions for her.

😊

Please write more poetry!! I had no idea how brilliant you are! ☺️ ( actually I did, but that’s the cherry on top!)

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Jennifer Haubrich's avatar

Loved this! I remember marveling over his poetry and illustrations as a child. Once, I attempted to memorize Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out. Almost succeeded.

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Beth Spencer's avatar

Thank you! I propose you try memorizing again! Or write your own brilliant Jennifer Haubrich version next time you don’t want to do something! 😬

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Jennifer Haubrich's avatar

A parody of this one would be fun, actually! Maybe I will.

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David P. Smith's avatar

love this and love Shel Silverstein who directly inspired me in my late teens and twenties

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Patti's avatar

What a lovely tribute. Absolutely beautiful! I still have my copies of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic from when I was little. I bring them to school and share them with my third graders, who adore him too!

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Beth Spencer's avatar

Patti, I didn't know you taught third grade! You know who else was a third grade teacher? Sarah Spencer, my lovely grandmother, who introduced me to Shel's books! I still hear her voice when I read The Giving Tree. :D I'm so glad you still have your copies of those two. They're the BEST! ❤️

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Patti's avatar

No wonder you are such an amazing art teacher as well as artist. It's in your blood! I love your drawing/painting sessions and even though I can't attend most because they are during the week, I always try to get to the replays on weekends.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Patti! I'm glad you're bringing him to a new generation! :)

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Just around the Corner Club's avatar

Love your choice and your poetic letter☺️

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Beth Spencer's avatar

Thank you, JoAnn!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Agreed! Thanks for reading!

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Amy Standridge's avatar

Amazing! I love it!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I agree! Thank you for reading!

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Candace Rose Rardon's avatar

Everything about this is just magic. Kelcey, huge congratulations on your new creative venture, and Beth, this was such a beautiful first letter. Thank you both!! 👏✨

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Aww thank you so much, Candace! I'm so excited about it, and was thrilled to kick it off with Beth's brilliance!

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Amy Makechnie's avatar

Beth and Kelcey, this is TERRIFIC! Love the portrait and the poem...brilliant.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thank you so much, Amy! I love it too!

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Backroad Portfolio's avatar

Reading this makes me want to get out my Shel Silverstein books and read them from beginning to end! We have a small library with shelves my husband built himself, and I have Shel’s books on one of them, waiting for grandchildren in a few years, hopefully!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I felt the same way! Thanks for reading!

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Beth Spencer's avatar

That's so nice to hear. My grandmother introduced me to his work as a child. :)

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Janice's avatar

What a beautiful tribute to an amazing writer who brought, and still brings, joy and laughter to so many.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks for reading, Janice!

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Genny Entezari, CreativeTinker's avatar

What a wonderful tribute! I loved him too… “I cannot go to school today said little Susie Ann McKay. I have the measles and the mumps, a gash, a rash with purple bumps…” 😊 The Giving Tree was one of my all time favorites. And my mom made up a song to go with The Missing Piece that I can still hear in my head!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

"You say today is . . . Saturday?

G’bye, I’m going out to play!"

😂😂😂

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Beth Spencer's avatar

Thank you, Genny! That's such a good poem! I always loved the ones about naughty kids. :D

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Carmen Maya Posta's avatar

Love this! I used to do something similar as a journalist with figures like Rudolf Steiner; it’s a wonderful way to connect with people who are no longer with us but have given us so much. Also, your illustration of Shel Silverstein is beautiful. I’m looking forward to the next letters!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Fascinating! Would you be interested in writing a letter to Steiner (or someone else?) for this project???

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Carmen Maya Posta's avatar

Oh, would love that! Let's connect :)

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Yay, got your message! I’m out now but will reply soon!

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Rachielle Sheffler's avatar

What a great way to start! Congratulations to Beth and you.

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Thanks, Rachielle! ❤️

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Max Murphy's avatar

"Time moves in a different way

than when you were alive,

when we didn't look at screens all day,

and only worked til 5."

i'm not crying, you're crying! Beth, this was FABULOUS :')

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Yes, Max! Sooo good!

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Bethany Rohde's avatar

Charming poem and artwork!

His "Messy Room" was the first poem I ever memorized, back in fourth grade. Thanks for sharing this with us!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Oh that's a great one! Can you still recite it? :)

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Bethany Rohde's avatar

I wish!

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