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Dr. Seuss is The Man, in the good way not the oppressive way ;)

Discussion in 'Chit Chat' started by 4ever Hearth, Apr 29, 2013.

  1. 4ever Hearth

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    Not too long ago, I was reading one of the Buffy graphic novels I brought and I remembered Faith quoting some lines from "Oh The Places You'll Go." So once I found it and read it, I was like "Why not post it to EC and see what they take from it." It's not the "greatest" piece of literature but you have to admit after a hard day, dealing with the issues that come with your sexual and gender identity as well as personal circumstances, it's like the first cup of water after a long day's run. :grin:

    So here it is:


    Oh, the Places You'll Go!
    by Dr. Seuss


    Congratulations!
    Today is your day.
    You're off to Great Places!
    You're off and away!

    You have brains in your head.
    You have feet in your shoes
    You can steer yourself
    any direction you choose.
    You're on your own. And you know what you know.
    And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go.

    You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
    About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
    With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
    you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

    And you may not find any
    you'll want to go down.
    In that case, of course,
    you'll head straight out of town.

    It's opener there
    in the wide open air.

    Out there things can happen
    and frequently do
    to people as brainy
    and footsy as you.

    And when things start to happen,
    don't worry. Don't stew.
    Just go right along.
    You'll start happening too.

    OH!
    THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

    You'll be on your way up!
    You'll be seeing great sights!
    You'll join the high fliers
    who soar to high heights.

    You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
    You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
    Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.
    Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

    Except when you don't
    Because, sometimes, you won't.

    I'm sorry to say so
    but, sadly, it's true
    and Hang-ups
    can happen to you.

    You can get all hung up
    in a prickle-ly perch.
    And your gang will fly on.
    You'll be left in a Lurch.

    You'll come down from the Lurch
    with an unpleasant bump.
    And the chances are, then,
    that you'll be in a Slump.

    And when you're in a Slump,
    you're not in for much fun.
    Un-slumping yourself
    is not easily done.

    You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
    Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
    A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
    Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
    How much can you lose? How much can you win?

    And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
    or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
    Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
    Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
    for a mind-maker-upper to make up their mind.

    You can get so confused
    that you'll start in to race
    down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
    and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
    headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
    The Waiting Place...

    ...for people just waiting.
    Waiting for a train to go
    or a bus to come, or a plane to go
    or the mail to come, or the rain to go
    or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
    or waiting around for a Yes or a No
    or waiting for their hair to grow.
    Everyone is just waiting.

    Waiting for the fish to bite
    or waiting for wind to fly a kite
    or waiting around for Friday night
    or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
    or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
    or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
    or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
    Everyone is just waiting.

    NO!
    That's not for you!

    Somehow you'll escape
    all that waiting and staying.
    You'll find the bright places
    where Boom Bands are playing.

    With banner flip-flapping,
    once more you'll ride high!
    Ready for anything under the sky.
    Ready because it's you're ideal life!

    Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
    There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
    And the magical things you can do with that ball
    will make you the winning-est winner of all.
    Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,
    with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

    Except when they don't.
    Because, sometimes, they won't.

    I'm afraid that some times
    you'll play lonely games too.
    Games you can't win
    'cause you'll play against you.

    All Alone!
    Whether you like it or not,
    Alone will be something
    you'll be quite a lot.

    And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
    you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
    There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
    that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.

    But on you will go
    though the weather be foul
    On you will go
    though your enemies prowl
    On you will go
    though the Hakken-Kraks howl
    Onward up many
    a frightening creek,
    though your arms may get sore
    and your sneakers may leak.

    On and on you will hike
    and I know you'll hike far
    and face up to your problems
    whatever they are.

    You'll get mixed up, of course,
    as you already know.
    You'll get mixed up
    with many strange birds as you go.
    So be sure when you step.
    Step with care and great tact
    and remember that Life's
    a Great Balancing Act.
    Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
    And never mix up your right foot with your left.

    And will you succeed?
    Yes! You will, indeed!
    (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

    KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

    So...
    be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
    or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
    you're off to Great Places!
    Today is your day!
    Your mountain is waiting.
    So...get on your way!
     
  2. myheartincheck

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    Location:
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    Gender:
    Genderqueer
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Lesbian
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Thank you for this! I love Dr. Suess! :slight_smile:
     
  3. 4ever Hearth

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    You're welcome. :smilewave
     
  4. BornInTexas

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    I actually have this book. XD I was reading it right when I found this thread. WEIRDDD!