"Me, I'm spiritually retarded, I need to be knee deep in water with a fly rod in my hands, that's about as close to God as I get"

This quote by Steve Earle talks to the idea that for some people, the closest they can get to feeling a spiritual connection is through nature. He suggests that for him, remaining in nature and engaging in activities such as fishing is the only method he can feel spiritually linked. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the idea that nature is a spiritual place, which by engaging with it, one can find a connection to something greater than themselves. It might likewise be translated as a commentary on the concept that for some individuals, traditional types of spirituality are not accessible or meaningful, which they must discover their own way to get in touch with something greater. Ultimately, this quote speaks with the idea that everyone has their own way of getting in touch with the divine, which it is important to find what works for you.