Unregenerate

A funny poem by Arthur Franklin Fuller about a love of berry pie and the little temptations that can be so hard to resist.

Have you ever enjoyed a favorite dessert so much that one serving just did not seem enough? Perhaps it was a homemade pie, fresh from the oven, or a special treat that brought back happy childhood memories. Sometimes the foods we love are also the ones we find hardest to leave alone.

I still remember my mother's rhubarb custard pies topped with meringue. They were so delicious that I sometimes found myself returning to the kitchen when everyone else was asleep. Of course, the next morning there was a little less pie on the counter! There is something about a favorite homemade dessert that can test even our best intentions.

Arthur Franklin Fuller brings this familiar temptation to life in Unregenerate. His humorous poem tells of a man who knows he has eaten too much berry pie but cannot quite give it up. Beneath the laughter is a gentle reminder about moderation, sharing, and enjoying life's pleasures without letting them get the better of us.

I feel I've got excuses For wantin' berry pie. Arthur Franklin Fuller

Updated October 13, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.

Unregenerate

Poet: Arthur Franklin Fuller

The doctor sez my stummick,
Has got plumb out o'fix,
My liver has done wasted —
Seeds jam my ap-pen-dix.

My skin keeps on a yallerin,
My lease is hastenin by,
In short, I'm totely founderin,
From too much berry pie.

I wish that my Creator
Had made old Adam keep
Right in the straight and narrow,
An' let his senses sleep.

But since he chose the habit
Of cravin' things too high,
I feel I've got excuses
For wantin' berry pie.

Now when life's day is over —
All done with hopes and fears —
The fashion is to tender
Sweet flowers and salty tears.

I wish my friends would do this,
The day before I die,
And let their fond affections
Be 'spressed in juicy pie.

I'll then climb in the coffin,
Without a qualm or sigh,
And take the plunge full-stummicked,
With 'nuff of berry pie.

Key Reflections In This Poem

Enjoy Life's Simple Pleasures
A favorite food can bring comfort, laughter, and happy memories. It is good to appreciate these small pleasures while remembering that moderation matters.
Be Honest About Our Temptations
We can be very good at making excuses for the things we want. This funny poem reminds us to recognize our habits and sometimes laugh at ourselves.
Share What Brings You Joy
The speaker loves berry pie right to the very end. His playful wish reminds us that life's sweetest moments are often even better when shared with others.

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Conclusion

Unregenerate gives us a good laugh because most of us know what it feels like to want just one more bite of something delicious. Arthur Franklin Fuller uses humor to remind us that our favorite treats can be hard to resist. Enjoying life's little pleasures is part of what makes ordinary days special, but knowing when to stop is important too. May this poem bring a smile to your face and perhaps a fond memory of a homemade pie shared with family or friends.

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