The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #94186 Message #1895282
Posted By: ClaireBear
29-Nov-06 - 02:06 AM
Thread Name: Poetry: Edgar A. Guest
Subject: ADD: The Old, Old Story (Edgar A. Guest)
Very kind of the spammers to refresh this thread just after I located an entire volume of Guest's poetry at a book sale, thus providing the perfect opportunity for me to post this gem for you:
The Old, Old Story
(Edgar A. Guest)
I have no wish to rail at fate,
And vow that I'm unfairly treated;
I do not give vent to my hate
Because at times I am defeated.
Life has its ups and downs, I know,
But tell me why should people say,
Whenever after fish I go:
"You should have been here yesterday"?
It is my luck always to strike
A day when there is nothing doing,
When neither perch, nor bass, nor pike
My baited hooks will come a-wooing.
Must I a day late always be?
When not a nibble comes my way
Must someone always say to me:
"We caught a bunch here yesterday."
I am not prone to discontent,
Nor over-zealous now to climb;
If victory is not yet meant
For me I'll calmly bide my time.
But I should like just once to go
Out fishing on some lake or bay
And not have someone mutter: "Oh,
You should have been here yesterday."