9-1+Peckin'

** Peckin' ** //Shel Silverstein //  Table of Contents Favorite Poems The saddest thing I ever did see Was a woodpecker peckin' at a plastic tree. He looks at me, and "Friend," says he, "Things ain't as sweet as they used to be."

 **Analysis:** In this poem, the woodpecker denotes a person of society. The person is going through a phase in which their life is not going the way it should be. Before this phase, their life was "sweet". In some way, problems came their way and their life isn't as fortunate as it was before. Yet, this person still has a positive outlook on life. The woodpecker speaks in a joking manner. The diction isn't formal or in a sense of true aggravation. They understand that they aren't as lucky as other people but they still appreciate what they have. The mood is informal because it is a common conversation. The plastic tree is obviously not as good as a real tree to woodpeckers. An example that would relate to humans could be if someone sending a letter. With a letter, it means more to the receiver other than just sending an instant message. The generation before teenagers feels life isn't as "sweet" as it used to be because of technology taking over our society. This concept is shown through this poem with the woodpecker.