Fishin’ Hereafter

Ef I kennot go a-fishin’

     W’y I don’t care ef I die;

Ain’t no kind o’ sense o’ livin’

     W’en yewr actin’ eout a lie.

I don’t want no speedy hosses,

     Nur no auto, big nur small,

But I wanter go a-fishin’

     Jest ez long ez I kin crawl.

Ef I kennot go a-fishin’

     Life ain’t got no joys fur me;

Ruther set an’ hold a fish-pole

     Than a gal upon my knee.

An’ I hope in the hereafter,

     Stid uv playin’ harps an’ things,

I kin hev a pole an’ use it

     In the stream uv life, I jings!

June 26, ‘06

          Sent to Bristol Press June 26

           Sent to N.Y. Sun,