Uncle Jim’s “Pole”

No thank yew, sir, yew’re very kind,

     It’s purty, I’ll agree;

All varnished up an’ nickled bound,

     Ez light ez light kin be.

It’s strong enough? Wall mebbie ‘tis,

     Don’t doubt its quallertee,

But poles like them – I mean them rods –

     Don’t heng jest right fur me.

This pole uv mine – jest heft it now,

     White birch? Thet’s what she be;

But every bass in this ere lake

     Hez got respec’ fur me.

An' every fish ‘at gits away

     Is welcome tur go free;

But poles – I mean such rods ez yewr’n

     Don’t heng jest right fur me.

Oct. 7, ‘98