National Poetry Month Selection: “The Genie In The Flask”

Today’s poetry selection is “The Genie In The Flask”, from Every Thing On It by Shel Silverstein in which we see a genie in a different light. Enjoy!

The Genie In The Flask

I opened up that magic flask,

And zoof, up popped a genie.

I thought he’d be my slave, but no–

This genie is a meanie.

instead of filling every wish

And doing all my bidding,

He says that I must be his slave,

And oh, He isn’t kidding.

I sweat and cough with no days off

From Tuesdays until Mondays.

I cook his beans and scrub his back

And wash his yucky undies

And sweep and paint–this surely ain’t

The magic I was hopin’.

I guess in life it all depends

Which magic flask you open.