Here are some examples:
"The Giving Tree":
* "I'm getting too old for this," the tree said. - This uses the idiom "too old for this" to express the tree's weariness.
* "Let me have one more thing," the man said. "Give me your branches, so I can build a house and have my family live in it." - The phrase "build a house" is used metaphorically to represent the man's desire for a stable home and family.
"Where the Sidewalk Ends":
* "I'm lost! I'm lost! I'm lost!" she screamed. - This uses the idiom "lost" to express the character's feeling of being confused and disoriented.
* "Don't be silly," the girl said. "We can go home any time we want." - The phrase "go home" is used metaphorically to mean returning to a safe and familiar place.
"The Missing Piece":
* "I'm going to stay here," the piece said. - The idiom "stay here" is used to represent the piece's decision to stay in its current situation.
* "I'm going to find my missing piece!" she said. - The phrase "missing piece" is used metaphorically to represent the person's search for a missing part of themselves.
Silverstein often employs idioms to create a sense of familiarity and playfulness. He cleverly adapts their traditional meanings to suit the context of his poems, making them both entertaining and insightful.
So, while he may not have poems *about* idioms, his works are definitely filled with them, adding a layer of depth and charm to his unique storytelling.