Gather near once again for another round of pics
Thus far in our journey, we’re still on Day Six
After walking through Salem we headed straight west
For one final stop in this state for our quest
In Springfield (one of many) was our next fun attraction
Past construction and street mazes, quite the distraction
Did Springfield not want us there? Too bad, ’twas no use
We braved all in the name of a man they call Seuss!

The Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
(That’s too many syllables; I beg the poets’ pardon)
This plaza lay ‘twixt five museums close together
This tribute cast in bronze for resisting the weather
In the open and welcoming us tourists, exhortin’
Such Seussian creations as Thidwick and Horton!

Many of his characters are glorified in statue
Even sidekicks or nuisances, like Things 1 and 2!

Requesting attention and good sense is the Lorax
Save the trees! And love nature! And don’t scrub him with borax!
His moral etched below him — one word: “Unless”
Remember his story? Remember the mess?

See the turtles, plus Yertle, stacked up like old Babel
Don’t try this at home! Don’t relive his sad fable!

Some sculptures stood tall; we craned upward to look
The largest by far: a gargantuan book
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Would you like to read it next?
This edition’s writ large with the unabridged text!

Intricacies dwelt even down near our shoes
In houses obscured, small and hidden like Whos!

Do you prefer simpler details? Nothing too picturesque?
How about the tools from the cartoonist’s own desk?

No more sculpture, you say? Would you like some new scenery?
How about a house made of now-dead ex-greenery?
How did they simulate such Seussian architecture?
I forgot to take notes, so feel free to conjecture!

Kids frolicked inside — as always, so adaptive
See my wife play the part of the not-helpless captive!

Last and not least, here’s that name in the headline
Before I push farther past tonight’s fast-passing deadline
Lurking near Places –to find them’s a cinch —
Are cute widdle Max and oppressor, the Grinch!

Springfield’s the birthplace of this celebrated writer
His books, numbered dozens, made many childhoods brighter
I simply had to see this while in the vicinity
Thanks to him, I count wordplay as a lifelong affinity.

…

To be continued!

[Link enclosed here to handy checklist for previous and future chapters, and for our complete road trip history to date. Thanks for reading!]