The Hand
The value of hard work51 total reviews
Comment from Begin Again
Hi, Jesse... wouldn't it be wonderful if this wide world of ours could learn to appreciate each person for the good qualities they bring to our society. Brains are awesome, but without the craftsmanship of others, we wouldn't get too far from seeing things just on paper. Great thoughts in your poem. Smiles, Carol
reply by the author on 04-May-2021
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Hi, Jesse... wouldn't it be wonderful if this wide world of ours could learn to appreciate each person for the good qualities they bring to our society. Brains are awesome, but without the craftsmanship of others, we wouldn't get too far from seeing things just on paper. Great thoughts in your poem. Smiles, Carol
Comment Written 04-May-2021
reply by the author on 04-May-2021
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Hello Carol, and thanks for this thoughtful review. We live in a world, unfortunately, that reveres brains, over good old-fashioned physical labor, and that's a shame!
Thank you for your kind comments and for the excellent rating and review.
Take care,
Jesse
Comment from ESOSTINE
I love the fact that things are gradually changing to the point that humanity is appreciating the values craft men bring into our societies. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Well written! Lol!
reply by the author on 04-May-2021
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I love the fact that things are gradually changing to the point that humanity is appreciating the values craft men bring into our societies. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Well written! Lol!
Comment Written 04-May-2021
reply by the author on 04-May-2021
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Thank you for this positive and thoughtful review. If I represent humanity, well then, so be it! I appreciate, very much, your kind words. Thank you for this excellent review and rating!
Have a great day,
Jesse
Comment from JudyE
Those who work only with their brains would not last long if it weren't for those who work with their hands. However, the former have always been more revered than the latter. It's a funny old world sometimes.
reply by the author on 03-May-2021
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Those who work only with their brains would not last long if it weren't for those who work with their hands. However, the former have always been more revered than the latter. It's a funny old world sometimes.
Comment Written 02-May-2021
reply by the author on 03-May-2021
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I agree, Judy. We need to revere both those who work with their brains and those who work with their hands. Yet, we don't and, it is a funny world we live in isn't it?
Thank you for your unique perspective and, for the excellent rating and review.
Have a nice night,
Jesse
Comment from Bill Schott
This poem, The Hand, reminds the reader that things are built by the muscle and sweat of someone every day. Manual labor is the actions which keep the wolf away from the door.
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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This poem, The Hand, reminds the reader that things are built by the muscle and sweat of someone every day. Manual labor is the actions which keep the wolf away from the door.
Comment Written 02-May-2021
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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Haha, I love this analogy, Bill! "keep the wolf away from the door" is a great way of putting it! Thank you for your thoughtfulness in taking the time to read and review my work. I appreciate the excellent review and rating.
Have a great upcoming week,
Jesse
Comment from Susan Louise Gabriel
I like this and, the older I get, the more respect I have for people who work with their hands, as I find it harder and harder. I used to enjoy creating things and miss doing it. I enjoyed your poem, though, because I like the new perspective you've highlighted in it.
Thank you for sharing,
Susan
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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I like this and, the older I get, the more respect I have for people who work with their hands, as I find it harder and harder. I used to enjoy creating things and miss doing it. I enjoyed your poem, though, because I like the new perspective you've highlighted in it.
Thank you for sharing,
Susan
Comment Written 02-May-2021
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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Yes, Susan, it is a perspective that sees the honor and necessity of those who work diligently and faithfully with their hands.
Thank you for your kind words, and I am sorry it is getting harder to create things with your hands. My mother created quilts until she was 92 years of age. She passed away when she was 93 so, she was nimble for most of her life. You can see that I am proud of my mom, can't you?
Have a lovely upcoming week,
Jesse
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Yes, your mom sounds wonderful! A lot like my mom, too. She was also very active into her nineties. Unfortunately I got tripped up with rheumatoid arthritis.
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Oh, I am so sorry! My hands are arthritic, but that is just osteoarthritis rather than rheumatoid arthritis. I hear that your kind is much more debilitating and painful. How do you cope with that? Do you take medication? Do you soak your hand in hot water or put ice on it? Is it better to stay off of it or better to use it gingerly? I hope you don't mind a few questions.
Take it easy,
Jesse
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Hi Jesse, I don't mind. Several years ago the thumb joints in both hands were so damaged that I had to have surgery on them. The doctor took a small piece of tendon from my forearm, rolled it into a small ball, and inserted it in the place of this triangular piece of bone at the base of the thumb. At the same time, I had carpal tunnel surgery, too, because my wrists were also damaged. They healed well, though, and now I don't have much pain in my hands at all. However, they just aren't very flexible and I don't have a good grip so I can't hang onto small objects.
I've had both knees replaced, three surgeries on my right foot to put pins in them to straighten out, and several other surgeries. But I'm still going - still working full time as a proposal manager (from home) and writing. :-)
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By the way - I feel for you if you also have pain in your hands! I hope you're able to find something that helps.
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/Wow! Sounds hectic! I've had some surgeries too, but I am glad I've never had them on my thumbs. And you still work, that's great! What is a proposal manager? I've never heard of one. I admire your fortitude to keep working with disabilities like those!
Take care,
Jesse
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I use my hands a lot, to keep them limber, so unless it is moist outside, or humid, I don't feel much pain in my hands. Thanks for asking.
Have a great evening,
Jesse
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I realized this morning that I never answered your question about what a proposal manager does. When the government or a large company needs something, they often write a Request for Proposal (RFP) to solicit bids for what they need. Companies that can provide what they want then use the RFP as a guide and develop a proposal. They can be small - maybe 50 pages, or very large - a few thousand pages, and I manage the process my company goes through to develop and submit a proposal by the deadline. I fell into this job - I was a tech writer, then was asked to write part of a proposal. I really liked it, so I've been working as a proposal professional for various companies for the past zillion years. lol
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My dad had a job similar to yours. He wrote requests for Grants, for university professors, at UCLA.
He was very good at it, but he said it was a thankless job! The professors didn't appreciate him enough. I'll bet private companies appreciate what you do more.
Anyways, thanks for letting me know.
Have a good day,
Jesse
Comment from robyn corum
Jesse,
Absolutely. Some of the most valuable members of society are the ones some want to look down on which is sad. If all those people walked off their jobs, where would we be?
Thanks!
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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Jesse,
Absolutely. Some of the most valuable members of society are the ones some want to look down on which is sad. If all those people walked off their jobs, where would we be?
Thanks!
Comment Written 02-May-2021
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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Yes, Robyn, we need to ask ourselves this question. If the laborers all walked off their jobs one day, where would we be? I dare say we don't want to test that theory out in real life. Those who use their hands are a necessity to our existence, and we better well respect and honor those who do! Thank you for letting me share.
Have a wonderful upcoming week,
Jesse
Comment from Ric Myworld
Oh, you are so right. I actually miss the physical labor and breaking a good sweat. A man feels better and stays healthier when he does hard physical labor, stays fitter, muscles and skin tight, and keeps his mind crisp. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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Oh, you are so right. I actually miss the physical labor and breaking a good sweat. A man feels better and stays healthier when he does hard physical labor, stays fitter, muscles and skin tight, and keeps his mind crisp. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 02-May-2021
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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Thank you, Ric, for your thoughtful and positive review. It sounds to me like you need, to find a pastime or hobby, that involves physical labor since you miss it so much. You brought up an important part of hard work that nobody else did when you said, that it keeps the mind crisp. Thanks for the kind comments and excellent rating and review.
Have a super Sunday,
Jesse
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Yes, Jesse, I would love to be back doing physical work on the farm and at the race track cleaning stalls and loading and unloading hay and straw. Not that I did that much in the last thirty years, but I would always jump in just to let the boys know I could still outwork any of them and clean three stalls to their one. Then, after my second broken neck and other issues, I just can't do much for very long anymore. But I do miss it terribly. I appreciate you, my friend!
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I broke my neck twice too! I have hardware from C-2 to C-6 in the vertebrae in my cervical spine. I am so sorry to hear that you are unable to do what you love...physical activity. I feel for you, my friend!
Have a nice evening,
Jesse
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Wow, something else we have in common. I have titanium and cadaver bone in the same places. I'm still active to a degree, and hope you are too!
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Hi Ric.
Because I need surgery for my lower back and both my knees, I am wheelchair-bound for a while.
I go to outpatient Physical Therapy to have Anne exercise my knees, but so far, I am still in the same predicament.
I have a great caregiver named David, who also is a friend, and he drives me to nature trails and pushes me in my wheelchair so that I can go on nature walks!
Have a great day,
Jesse
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I've had eight surgeries in the last two years (none on my neck), and four since December on my back. I'm glad you can get outside and have the help you need. Now, I'm just hoping you can get the surgeries to fix your problems. Wishing the best always, Ric!
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Thanks, Ric! I wish the best for you also, my friend!
Have a great evening,
Jesse
Comment from Goodadvicechan
I like the picture of a handy man...
Thanks for reminding us of the importance and contribution our hand as said in the poem: "The hand
in all its glory where life begins transforms mountains to
dust..."
I am currently having arm and hand pain. I certainly appreciate how much I rely only hand to survive.
Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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I like the picture of a handy man...
Thanks for reminding us of the importance and contribution our hand as said in the poem: "The hand
in all its glory where life begins transforms mountains to
dust..."
I am currently having arm and hand pain. I certainly appreciate how much I rely only hand to survive.
Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 02-May-2021
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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I am so sorry for your arm and hand pain. Yes, I guess one would realize the importance of the hand when one is under stress and immobility caused by too much pain and discomfort to the arm and hand.
Thank you for choosing the lines you like best in this poem. I am glad you found the image of the carpenter to your liking.
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Jesse
Comment from Earthlover
This is a very creative poem expressing your appreciation for hard work. I like the message and easy flow of your thoughts. Describing the joy of working with our hands is skillful, and the image is a perfect illustration.
I like your little pun in the footnote. "There is no shame in doing physical labor, and I have seen that first hand." LOL very clever. Loved this..
Thanks for sharing..
Earthlover
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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This is a very creative poem expressing your appreciation for hard work. I like the message and easy flow of your thoughts. Describing the joy of working with our hands is skillful, and the image is a perfect illustration.
I like your little pun in the footnote. "There is no shame in doing physical labor, and I have seen that first hand." LOL very clever. Loved this..
Thanks for sharing..
Earthlover
Comment Written 01-May-2021
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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I love your pen name, Earthlover. I love your detailed review, as well, that singles out several parts you like about it that is helpful to know. You are the only one to get the pun in my author's notes. I am glad it made you laugh a little.
Thank you for this awesome review and excellent rating.
Have a wonderful Sunday,
Jesse
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Thamk you for your kind response to my review. I have joined many groups on FaceBook that are comedy and word pun related. I love humor and appreciated your clever pun.
Thanks again,
Julie @earthlover
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That explains it. You have an excellent sense of humor, and I hope you like it here on Fan Story. Welcome, Julie, to Fan Story!
Have a humorous day,
Jesse
Comment from Gloria ....
Excellent tribute to the value of hands, and the physical work, that builds our houses, shops and roads. While the intelligence engineers are valuable, so too are the hands that create their visions.
Excellent job with this free verse. Sometimes families do work around one central theme and the rest are not deemed as worthwhile.
So glad you have developed a new admiration for the physical labourers.
Enjoyed this very much. :)
Gloria
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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Excellent tribute to the value of hands, and the physical work, that builds our houses, shops and roads. While the intelligence engineers are valuable, so too are the hands that create their visions.
Excellent job with this free verse. Sometimes families do work around one central theme and the rest are not deemed as worthwhile.
So glad you have developed a new admiration for the physical labourers.
Enjoyed this very much. :)
Gloria
Comment Written 01-May-2021
reply by the author on 02-May-2021
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Thank you, Gloria, for your keen awareness of the different messages in my poem. You are the only one to mention my family's dysfunction at not seeing it as worthwhile physical labor.
We need laborers as much as we need technical engineers to make things happen. Thank you for this excellent review and rating. I am glad you enjoyed my piece.
Have a great Sunday,
Jesse