Whatif
by Shel Silverstein
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!