I was shocked to read about Shel Silverstein's death. To me, Shel was a true Renaissance man. I first encountered him in Playboy magazine where he drew and wrote about a very different way of life from mine.

Then I heard Dr. Hook doing "On the Cover of the Rolling Stone" and saw that very familiar name as writer. As I helped bring two kids into the world I found out that Shel wrote children's books. Not very PC at times (nearly taboo subjects at times), but always from a very good heart and a true love of children and their wonder of the world.

I was getting to be an old fart when I found out Shel had been writing songs that I sang during the "folk scare" of the '60's.

Later on I found out he was quite a prolific song writer with a perverse sense of humor (my favorite kind). Went to a close out sale at a record store and found "Bob Gibson sings Shel Silverstein", definitely a favorite of mine. I expect Bob already knew he was ill and a few of the songs seemed to "laugh in the face of death". Quite a touching selection since I found the tape after Bob had died.

Shel was not a star in the Pantheon, but he was incredibly creative in the background of my entire adult life. I, too, will miss him and will learn a song in his honor.

I knew the Mudcat would be the only place I could talk about this with others who would understand. Thanks guys and gals.

Roger in Baltimore