How did Shel Silverstein know what's inside my head?

As I approach my first day of nursing school, I'm becoming increasingly anxious about the transition and what lies ahead of me. For those that know me well, you know I worry about everything. From fleas on Brady to how a random comment I've made affected someone else, I am constantly worrying about something. If you're reading this blog, chances are I've worried about something on your behalf once or twice as well (even if you weren't worried about it yourself).

Over the past few months, this childhood poem has popped into my head many times as I lay in bed at night, unable to sleep because of the things rolling around in my mind. (Last night was a particularly offensive case of the whatifs.) So, in honor of my last free weekend before school begins, I'll share this poem with you.

Whatif by Shel Silverstein

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!