Fish can be bought in the market place, <br />So it isn't the fish I'm after. <br />I want to get free from the care-drawn face <br />And back to an honest laughter, <br />I want to get out where the skies are clean <br />And rest by a river's brink, <br />I want to get out where the woods are green <br />And I want a few hours to think. <br />Oh, it isn't the fish I am greedy for, <br />It's the chatter and song of birds, <br />And the talk of trees that I've known before. <br />I am weary of selfish words. <br />I want to stretch out, just my soul and I, <br />In a place from the strife afar, <br />And let a few care-filled hours pass by <br />As I think of the things that are. <br />Oh, it isn't the fish that I go to get, <br />Though there's joy in a swishing line <br />And a splendid thrill when my grip I set <br />And a small mouthed bass is mine! <br />But my soul seems cramped in the stifling air <br />That is heavy with talk of gain <br />And I want to get out where the world is fair <br />And there isn't so much of pain. <br />Fish can be bought in the market place <br />But I long for the running streams, <br />And I want to be free from the care-drawn face <br />And the city of dreadful dreams. <br />I want to stretch out, just my soul and I <br />On a sun-kissed river shore, <br />And be, as a few mad hours rush by, <br />The man that I am, once more.<br /><br />Edgar Albert Guest<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fishing-reasons/
