The philosophy of fishin', as I understand it, man, If you can't git what you're wishin', is to take the thing you can. If I couldn't land a muskie I would try to ketch a trout; And I ain't too big and husky for to pull a bluegill out. The philosophy of fishin' is to fish your level best, Makin' that the first condition, makin' that the final test. Then, whatever has prevented, if the wind was maybe wrong, You will likely be contented with whatever comes along. The philosophy of fishin' is to want a whale, or more, But to give a perch permission if he wants to come ashore. Bait your hook for bass, my brother, but if bass should never strike, Just be glad for any other, if it's nothin' but a pike. The philosophy of fishin' is a good philosophy, And whatever your ambition, or whoever you may be. If I couldn't land a muskie I would try to ketch a trout; And I ain't too big and husky for to pull a bluegill out. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AUGUST FIRST by HAYDEN CARRUTH CONTRA MORTEM: THE CHILD'S BEING by HAYDEN CARRUTH PUSSY-WILLOW TIME by ROBERT FROST TO EMILIE BIGELOW HAPGOOD - PHILANTHROPIST by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON NOBODY'S LOOKIN' BUT DE OWL AND DE MOON (A NEGRO SERENADE) by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON |