Do a loony-goony dance 'Cross the kitchen floor, Put something silly in the world That ain't been there before.

These lines come from Shel Silverstein’s children’s poetry, where he often invites young readers to embrace play, mischief, and imaginative freedom. The “loony-goony dance” is characteristic of Silverstein’s invented language and comic imperatives, encouraging kids (and adults) to be unselfconscious and creative in ordinary domestic spaces like a kitchen. Written in the late 20th century amid Silverstein’s highly popular run of illustrated poetry collections, the verse reflects his broader project: validating silliness as a form of expression and gently pushing back against overly tidy rules of behavior and art.

The speaker urges a deliberate act of joyful absurdity: dance across the kitchen and add “something silly” to the world. Beneath the playful diction is a serious claim about creativity—newness doesn’t have to be grand or solemn to matter. By locating invention in a mundane setting, the poem suggests that imagination is available anywhere, and that making others laugh or surprising them can be a genuine contribution. The final line frames silliness as generative: it’s not mere noise, but an act that expands what exists, encouraging readers to take creative risks without fear of looking foolish.