Poems & Prayers

“Cus if you shoot for an A and end up with a B

it’s worth more than an F when you tried to make a C.”

The poem emphasizes the need always to do your best in life. It is better to aim high, even if you do fall a little short, than to barely bother and end up with nothing or worse.

“Don’t find yourself, be the creation,

The pursuit is all, there’s no destination.”

Here, the speaker offers that you must create your own self as you move forward in life; do not think that you are already a completely formed individual. The poem emphasizes that you have work to do. Keep on pursuing your ideals and dealing with things as they come up without overthinking the future. Nothing is ever final; just keep going.

“A great sense of humor

not afraid to eat crow

it’s Aspen in the south

without the snow.”

The concluding quatrain of McConaughey’s appreciative poem about the people of Birmingham, Alabama, likens it to Aspen, Colorado, which is famous as a luxury ski resort and cultural center in the mountains. The comparison makes it sound like being without the snow is actually an advantage for the Deep South city. The first three lines all have six syllables, although the meter is irregular. The last line is two syllables or one poetic foot short.