By: Douglas Malloch
If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley — but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.
If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass —
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew,
There’s something for all of us here,
There’s big work to do, and there’s lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.
If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can’t be the sun be a star;
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail —
Be the best of whatever you are!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Douglas Malloch was born on the 5th of May 1877. He was an American poet, short-story writer and Associate Editor of American Lumberman, a trade paper in Chicago. He was known as “Lumberman’s poet” both locally and nationally. Some of his notable works were “Round River Drive” and “Be the Best of Whatever You Are”, in addition to his many other creations. He was commissioned to write new lyrics for the Michigan State Song, “Michigan, My Michigan” in 1902. He died on the 2nd of July 1938.
ABOUT THE POEM:
The poem shares an encouraging message for its readers that although we don’t get a hold of a prestigious opportunity, we can all be the best of whatever or whoever we want us to be. Douglas Malloch reminds us through this poem that our position in life doesn’t makes us more or less valuable and that success is measured by being who we are, doing the best of whatever we are, and being true to ourselves. The beauty of this world lies in our hands when we do our calling and do it with passion, pride and dignity, because the moment we measure our success by the standard of this world, we will feel like we have fallen short. So, if we can’t be like this, or like that, just do your best at all times. It doesn’t matter if you won or you failed, as long as you do your best, someday you will see the fruit of yout hardwork.
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