Life, 1923-08-02 · page 7 of 40
Life — August 2, 1923 — page 7: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a satirical poem by Edvina Davis about overfishing and resource depletion. A French Sardine warns her offspring about "birth control"—limiting fish reproduction—because humans are harvesting so many fish that populations cannot sustain themselves. The poem's joke plays on contemporary birth control debates (a controversial topic in early 20th-century America) by applying them to marine life. The Herring character argues that fish must reduce breeding because commercial fishing is unsustainable: "To such poor fish as we, / Who give to Commerce, without stint, / Our countless progeny!" The illustration shows laborers digging, likely depicting the economic pressure driving overfishing. The satire critiques industrial fishing practices and their environmental consequences through dark humor.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Birth Control of the Seas T happened that the Herring met The French Sardine one day As she was urging her small fry Into the school, from play. “The morning's greetings, dear Sardine,” The friendly Herring cried. “My love, I have some wondrous news I'm bursting to confide. “The Turbot told it at the Crab’s, She had it from the Sole— The very latest thing in thought To-day, is birth-control. “Oh, think, Sardine, what this will mean To such poor fish as we, Who give to Commerce, without stint, Our countless progeny !” “Non, non, chére Herring, say not so; To talk like that, c'est mal. I know 'tis sad to give our young For Sandwiches, et al. “But Life, at best, is just a span Which lasts from tide to tide. Then why peer into the Beyond Of Herring, smoked or dried?” The Herring snorted. “Boneless fish! Go furnish food for man! And have your epitaph inscribed Upon an old tin can. “But as for me, my duty’s clear; Henceforth, I'll roam the seas, And lead a herring’s higher life, And do just as I please.” Edwina Davis. Owner: HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU FOR THE DAY'S WORK? Ditch Digger: THREE DOLLARS IS WHAT I , W I'VE HELPED “COULDN'T YOU MAKE IT A LITTLE LI You Ky ALL DAY LONG.” comicbooks.com