Classic and Contemporary Poetry
MY PHILOSOFY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: I ain't, ner don't p'tend to be Last Line: That gits more kicks than all the rest. Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F. Subject(s): Philosophy & Philosophers | ||||||||
I AIN'T, ner don't p'tend to be, Much posted on philosofy; But thare is times, when all alone, I work out idees of my own. And of these same thare is a few I'd like to jest refer to you -- Pervidin' that you don't object To listen clos't and rickollect. I allus argy that a man Who does about the best he can Is plenty good enugh to suit This lower mundane institute -- No matter ef his daily walk Is subject fer his neghbor's talk, And critic-minds of ev'ry whim Jest all git up and go fer him! I knowed a feller onc't that had The yeller-janders mighty bad, -- And each and ev'ry friend he'd meet Would stop and give him some receet Fer cuorin's of 'em. But he'd say He kindo' thought they'd go away Without no medicin', and boast That he'd git well without one doste. He kep' a-yellerin' on -- and they Perdictin' that he'd die some day Before he knowed it! Tuck his bed, The feller did, and lost his head, And wundered in his mind a spell -- Then rallied, and, at last, got well, But ev'ry friend that said he'd die Went back on him eternally! It's natchurl enugh, I guess, When some gits more and some gits less, Fer them-uns on the slimmest side To claim it ain't a fare divide; And I've knowed some to lay and wait, And git up soon, and set up late, To ketch some feller they could hate Fer goin' at a faster gait. The signs is bad when folks commence A-findin' fault with Providence, And balkin' 'cause the earth don't shake At ev'ry prancin' step they take. No man is grate tel he can see How less than little he would be Ef stripped to self, and stark and bare He hung his sign out anywhare. My doctern is to lay aside Contensions, and be satisfied: Jest do your best, and praise er blame That follers that, counts jest the same. I've allus noticed grate success Is mixed with troubles, more er less, And it's the man who does the best That gits more kicks than all the rest. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ROMAN SKETCHBOOK: READING/RUSSELL SAYS, 'THERE IS NO RHINOCEROS IN by ROBERT CREELEY THE CLOUDS OF MAGELLAN (APHORISMS OF MR. CANON ASPIRIN) by NORMAN DUBIE OLD ARISTIPPUS by ANSELM HOLLO PUT IN A QUAVER, HERE AND THERE by ANSELM HOLLO FIN-DE-SIECLE BLUES by CAROLYN KIZER I BROOD ABOUT SOME CONCEPTS, FOR EXAMPLE by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER A BOY'S MOTHER by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY |
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