Welcome to the month of June.
What better way to celebrate than with poetry. I have chosen a poem by Douglas Malloch (May 5, 1877 – July 2, 1938) which is dedicated to the month of June. The poem is entitled simply, “June.”
“June” by Douglas Malloch – Rebecca's Reading Room
June
by Douglas Malloch
I knew that you were coming, June, I knew that you were coming!
Among the alders by the stream I heard a partridge drumming;
I heard a partridge drumming, June, a welcome with his wings,
And felt a softness in the air half Summer’s and half Spring’s.
I knew that you were nearing, June, I knew that you were nearing—
I saw it in the bursting buds of roses in the clearing;
The roses in the clearing, June, were blushing pink and red,
For they had heard upon the hills the echo of your tread.
I knew that you were coming, June, I knew that you were coming,
For ev’ry warbler in the wood a song of joy was humming.
I know that you are here, June, I know that you are here—
The fairy month, the merry month, the laughter of the year!
Douglas Malloch (May 5, 1877 – July 2, 1938) was an American poet, short-story writer, and Associate Editor of American Lumberman magazine. He was known for his poems that celebrated the virtues of the lumberjack and the natural world. Malloch’s work often reflected his deep admiration for the outdoors and the rugged individuals who worked in the logging industry. His most famous poem is “Be the Best of Whatever You Are”, which has been widely anthologized and quoted.
Be the Best of Whatever You Are
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!
Douglas Malloch was known as “Brother Malloch” due to his strong connections with the lumberjack community and his admiration for the hard-working individuals in the logging industry. He often portrayed a sense of camaraderie and brotherhood among lumberjacks in his writings, earning him the affectionate moniker “Brother Malloch.” This title symbolized his empathetic and respectful portrayal of the people he wrote about and their way of life.
Douglas Malloch’s marriage to Helen Miller, a renowned newswoman and founder of the National Federation of Press Women, exemplified his deep connections within the world of journalism and his commitment to individuals who contributed to the field. Their partnership likely provided a unique blend of literary and journalistic perspectives, fostering a rich environment for their personal and professional lives.
Rebecca's Reading Room 
Rebecca, a VERY interesting look at someone I had never heard of. He was quite a poet in his way. And great recitation and nature views in the video!
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I am so pleased that you enjoyed meeting up with Douglas Malloch, Dave. When I think about power couples, Douglas and his wife, Helen Miller, a newswoman who was founder of the National Federation of Press Women, fit into that category. The connection to the lumbering industry caught my attention. My father’s father was a lumberjack in the Minnesota region around 1900 – 1910. The earliest logging in that area took place alongside rivers. I heard stories of my grandfather’s exceptional ability to jump over the logs and never fall into the icy water. So much is lost simply because we never write the stories, but I am grateful for the oral traditions.
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That’s a fascinating family history you have, Rebecca! And Douglas Malloch and Helen Miller were a power couple indeed!
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Well, here’s someone I’d never even heard of. Thanks for the introduction. A great poet of the natural world – I’ll have to see if his work is available here.
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I just discovered Douglas Malloch. I never heard of him before I received my daily “poem” e-mail. It seems that he was prolific and very influential in his time. I found his poetry on Gutenberg Press, my go-to place to explore poetry from the past:
https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/72033/pg72033.txt
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You’ve mentioned Gutenberg before and it’s something I haven’t got into yet. Must investigate, or it’s my loss….
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I found this post absolutely wonderful. Thank you for sharing it. 🌹
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I am delighted that you joined me in the garden to celebrate the coming of June, Luisa! There is a special feeling of a month that has both seasons – spring and summer!
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Thanks a lot for your lovely reply, dear Rebecca 💐
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A wonderful poem! Thanks so much. It isn’t by size that you win or you fail —
Be the best of whatever you are! This should be on a poster hanging in every school room.
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I am so pleased that you enjoyed this post, Darlene. I found Douglas Malloch’s “Be the best…” poem after I recited “June”. I was so moved by it that I had to include it in the post. It is so much fun discovering poets that I have never heard of before. Many thanks for stopping by!!!
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If I didn’t know better, I would say that Mr. Malloch has been inside my head for the past two weeks.
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How very interesting and serendipitous, Liz!!! Goosebumps!
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I thought so!
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Hi Rebecca, a lovely poem about northern hemisphere June. Here’s mine:
Horrid June
I do not like you
Your gifts of
Icy winds
Freezing mornings and evenings
Are not my delight
🤣😂🤣
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Oh Robbie!!! I LOVE your poem “Horrid June.” When our side of the world is in the midst of January’s winter, I think of you enjoying the spring/summer months. It gives me great comfort to know that there is summer somewhere in the world. Thank you!!!!!
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Yes, it is nice to know the earth turns and spring will come again. But, I do not like June or her twin sister, July
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Many thanks for sharing, Robbie!
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