One of the things that strikes me about Shel Silverstein's poems is their lack of symbolism. Alliterative and consonant, rhyming and rhythmic, yet always strait forward. The words he chooses create a feel or tell a story. The times he tries to make his readers think, we are never left wondering what about or the conclusion he is trying to convey. Such is the case with his poem "LESTER", which happens to be my personal favorite of his writing.
The subject of "LESTER" is a man named (of all things) Lester who receives a wish from "...the goblin who lives in the banyan tree". Once he receives this wish, he greedily sets about his wishing. Lester is so greedy that he wishes for more wishes, then uses those wishes to wish for more wishes. We are only told of his wishing... for wishes. He's so proud of his wishes, his wealth, his ability to get things, that he never bothers with even the simple joys of life. Lester never smiled or cried, or loved, reached or touched anything. Anything, except his wishes. He kept wishing for wishes and died with nothing. Nothing, except his wishes.
Lester sits in contrast to the character of King Solomon in 1 Kings 3. In this passage, God appears to the newly-crowned king in a dream and tells him that He will grant whatever he asks. Rather than asking for long life or for riches, Solomon asks the LORD for more wisdom. He desires to be a better king for the Lord's people, Israel and Judah. God is so pleased with King Solomon's request that He goes beyond and makes him the wisest man who will ever live. The Lord goes even further and guarantees both riches and honor to the king.
Throughout scripture, from Proverbs to Paul, we are exhorted to chase after wisdom in our own lives. Not just wisdom, as the world knows it, but the wisdom of the Lord. Christ tells us in Luke 12:31 to "...seek his kingdom" the characteristics of which include love, compassion, righteousness, and wisdom. He continues in that verse, and following:
"...seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Do not be afraid... ...your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." (Lk 12:31-32)
In these two verses, I see an echo of God's words to Solomon and promises to us, as well. The kingdom waits for those who seek it.
The subject of "LESTER" is a man named (of all things) Lester who receives a wish from "...the goblin who lives in the banyan tree". Once he receives this wish, he greedily sets about his wishing. Lester is so greedy that he wishes for more wishes, then uses those wishes to wish for more wishes. We are only told of his wishing... for wishes. He's so proud of his wishes, his wealth, his ability to get things, that he never bothers with even the simple joys of life. Lester never smiled or cried, or loved, reached or touched anything. Anything, except his wishes. He kept wishing for wishes and died with nothing. Nothing, except his wishes.
Lester sits in contrast to the character of King Solomon in 1 Kings 3. In this passage, God appears to the newly-crowned king in a dream and tells him that He will grant whatever he asks. Rather than asking for long life or for riches, Solomon asks the LORD for more wisdom. He desires to be a better king for the Lord's people, Israel and Judah. God is so pleased with King Solomon's request that He goes beyond and makes him the wisest man who will ever live. The Lord goes even further and guarantees both riches and honor to the king.
Throughout scripture, from Proverbs to Paul, we are exhorted to chase after wisdom in our own lives. Not just wisdom, as the world knows it, but the wisdom of the Lord. Christ tells us in Luke 12:31 to "...seek his kingdom" the characteristics of which include love, compassion, righteousness, and wisdom. He continues in that verse, and following:
"...seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
Do not be afraid... ...your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." (Lk 12:31-32)
In these two verses, I see an echo of God's words to Solomon and promises to us, as well. The kingdom waits for those who seek it.
"if you always seek
WISDOM
you will always prove
WISE"
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