When I go rowing on the lake, <br />I long to be a man; <br />I’ll give my Sunday frock to have <br />A callous heart like Dan. <br /> <br />I love the ripple of the waves <br />When gliding o’er the deep, <br />But when I see the cruel ours, <br />I close my eyes and weep; <br /> <br />For there are cat-fish in our lake, <br />And I am filled with dread, <br />Lest Don should strike a pussy-fish <br />Upon its tender head. <br /> <br />How would you like it if, some day <br />An air-ship passing by, <br />Should flap its cruel, thoughtless oars <br />And knock you in the eye? <br /> <br />My life would be one long regret <br />If, for my pleasure vain, <br />I caused a harmless little fish <br />An hour of needless pain. <br /> <br />And if Dan’s heavy oars should cause <br />One little fish to die, <br />I’d never, never dare to look <br />Smoked herring in the eye!<br /><br />Ellis Parker Butler<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/womanly-qualms/
