Context

This is a line from the poem "Where the Sidewalk Ends," by Shel Silverstein (1974).

This line is also the title of what is probably Shel Silverstein's most beloved poetry collection—Where the Sidewalk Ends. It's also a pretty darn enchanting on it's own.

This quote begins a poem that's inviting you into a world of magic and wonder. Right from the beginning, we're asked to think about the place where the sidewalk ends. Where is that exactly? Is it the last little stretch before the houses get too big to be connected by sidewalks? Or is it the place where the sidewalk turns into someone's yard? Or is it somewhere else altogether? Somewhere magical, perhaps? We sure hope so.

Where you've heard it

You'll probably hear this one anytime you're being invited on a magical adventure…or just when people are trying to figure out where exactly the sidewalk does end. It's a tricky business.

Additional Notable References:

• Before Shel Silverstein was writing about sidewalks, there was a 1950 crime drama called Where the Sidewalk Ends.
• "Where the Sidewalk Ends" is also the name of a George Strait song which begins with two lines that sure sound like Shel Silverstein's poem.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

Invoking Shel Silverstein and the magic of childhood is never something to roll your eyes at. You're good to drop this one anytime you like. Bring on the magic and smiles.