Where the Sidewalk Ends from the book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" (1974)

by Shel Silverstein

  There is a place where the sidewalk ends
  and before the street begins,
  and there the grass grows soft and white,
  and there the sun burns crimson bright,
  and there the moon-bird rests from his flight
  to cool in the peppermint wind.

  Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
  and the dark street winds and bends.
  Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
  we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow
  and watch where the chalk-white arrows go
  to the place where the sidewalk ends.

  Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
  and we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
  for the children, they mark, and the children, they know,
  the place where the sidewalk ends.

This book was instrumental in shaping my love for poetry and lyric. My Oma read it to me when I was very young. I've begun reading it my daughter and it's such a joy to bring it full circle.

Shel's Wikipedia Page -He was a prolific artist. Wrote Boy Named Sue -made famous by Johnny Cash.