The Hand
The value of hard work51 total reviews
Comment from Joanne Gill-Maddick
This is a beautifully written free verse poem. So many beautiful things are created by human hands. Physical labour is such an important job. My father built houses at one time in his life. Such a good feeling to look and say my father built that. He was proud of what he could do. I really love your poem it hit home with me. Well done.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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This is a beautifully written free verse poem. So many beautiful things are created by human hands. Physical labour is such an important job. My father built houses at one time in his life. Such a good feeling to look and say my father built that. He was proud of what he could do. I really love your poem it hit home with me. Well done.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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I am glad this poem resonated with you, Joanne, and that you are so proud of your father's work. I would be proud if I could build houses too! Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful review.
Have a great weekend,
Jesse
Comment from Sherry Asbury
Those who work are noble to me...even if they haven't a college degree and such. This is a wonderful poem about the humble who make life possible. Very good and very well-presented.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Those who work are noble to me...even if they haven't a college degree and such. This is a wonderful poem about the humble who make life possible. Very good and very well-presented.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Thank you, Sherry, for this insightful and thoughtful review. I appreciate your kind remarks and thank you for the excellent rating and review.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Jesse
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I liked your poem very much!!
Comment from Seshadri_Sreenivasan
Interesting take on families. I agree with you. hard work never killed anybody. It leads to success. Every member of the family has a duty to perform. Thinking is also hard work. All these contribute to the success of the family. I enjoyed your poem. Thanks for sharing!
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Interesting take on families. I agree with you. hard work never killed anybody. It leads to success. Every member of the family has a duty to perform. Thinking is also hard work. All these contribute to the success of the family. I enjoyed your poem. Thanks for sharing!
Comment Written 30-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Thank you for your commentary on the family and what it takes to succeed.
Thank you for sharing and for taking the time and effort to read and review my work.
Have a nice weekend,
Jesse
Comment from Wendy G
Absolutely right! I don't understand why humans always have to put a hierarchy on things - whether it be race, skin colour, the work one does. All have value. The hands are a significant part of the body, and all the body parts work together in harmony. No part is of lesser value, and the hands serve and craft from the insight of the brain, and under its direction. This is a very thoughtful piece, and thought-provoking (as you can see by the length of my response!) Well done. Thank you for sharing this.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Absolutely right! I don't understand why humans always have to put a hierarchy on things - whether it be race, skin colour, the work one does. All have value. The hands are a significant part of the body, and all the body parts work together in harmony. No part is of lesser value, and the hands serve and craft from the insight of the brain, and under its direction. This is a very thoughtful piece, and thought-provoking (as you can see by the length of my response!) Well done. Thank you for sharing this.
Comment Written 30-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Hello Wendy! I am sorry it took so long to get back to you. I actually got more sleep than usual last night!
I agree with you completely. I also don't understand why people can't just get along and find value and worth in everybody! You are thoughtful as well, my friend! I appreciate your kind comments and the super review and excellent rating to go along with it!
Have a good day, Wendy, and be well,
Jesse
Comment from kahpot
Hard/physical work never hurt anyone, (shearer for 10/11 years) and that lead to better things, I found most work easier to get as I was willing to work, an excellent read and message in here for all, to me it seems like the young don't want to work anymore, very well written****kahpot
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Hard/physical work never hurt anyone, (shearer for 10/11 years) and that lead to better things, I found most work easier to get as I was willing to work, an excellent read and message in here for all, to me it seems like the young don't want to work anymore, very well written****kahpot
Comment Written 30-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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I thought it was the locals in my county? Maybe it is the young, in particular, who don't want to get their hands dirty with work. As my story of Kathy, she was willing to do what was necessary to get the job and keep it. I am sure she is still working at some job today!
Thank you for your very kind words and for being supportive of my work.
This is an awesome review, and I appreciate you for it.
Have a wonderful day, my friend,
Jesse
Comment from karenina
So true. My dad started as a carpenter's apprentice when he was sixteen. Hard work...callused hands, while learning to create tables, cabinets shelves..
Then WWII....no degree, except of courage.
Digging trenches, hard labor on an aircraft carrier...hands signalling with semifores.
When he came back he found work in road
construction...spent two years shoveling tar, laying Route 2 from Boston to Western Mass.
Then a stint assembling fans at the Fasco Company...
Every job he did by hand got his mind churning...
How do do this more efficiently? In less time at higher production?
His hands began to sketch out ways ... Assemvle better equipment, machinery even...
He learned to draft..and with those same hands wrote out patent applications...still no degree...
Except a degree of curiosity and inventiveness.
By age fifty he'd earned over 100 patents...
With a seventh grade education...
I remember his working man's hands accepting an honorary degree from Rochester Institute of Technology...
It was our turn to give HIM a hand!
Great poem!
Karenina
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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So true. My dad started as a carpenter's apprentice when he was sixteen. Hard work...callused hands, while learning to create tables, cabinets shelves..
Then WWII....no degree, except of courage.
Digging trenches, hard labor on an aircraft carrier...hands signalling with semifores.
When he came back he found work in road
construction...spent two years shoveling tar, laying Route 2 from Boston to Western Mass.
Then a stint assembling fans at the Fasco Company...
Every job he did by hand got his mind churning...
How do do this more efficiently? In less time at higher production?
His hands began to sketch out ways ... Assemvle better equipment, machinery even...
He learned to draft..and with those same hands wrote out patent applications...still no degree...
Except a degree of curiosity and inventiveness.
By age fifty he'd earned over 100 patents...
With a seventh grade education...
I remember his working man's hands accepting an honorary degree from Rochester Institute of Technology...
It was our turn to give HIM a hand!
Great poem!
Karenina
Comment Written 30-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Wow, what an inspirational story, Karenina! He went from using machines to eventually inventing machines with over 100 patents to his name! All with a seventh-grade education! Then finally receiving the honorary degree from Rochester Institute of Technology! What an amazing career he had!
Thank you for sharing this with me, and thank you for inspiring me further!
I am capable of whatever I set my mind to!
Thanks for your kind words, my friend.
Your reviews always mean so much to me!
Have a great weekend,
Jesse
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Yes...I was long wonder with my dad's journey...but I SO hoped you would get the message! You are absolutely capable! So glad you are seeing this in yourself! --Karenina
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Thanks, Karenina. You are such a boost to my morale, and I appreciate it very much! I am standing on my own two feet again, figuratively speaking. Hopefully soon, I will stand tall without the aid of a wheelchair, as well!
Have a great evening, my friend,
Jesse
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I'm in your corner! Cheering you on!--Karenina
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Thanks. That is so good to hear!
Jesse
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You got this!...Karenina
Comment from Patty Palmer
There is no shame in using your hands to get dirty to make a living. If you are able to take care of your family, it doesn't matter how you do it, as long as it's not illegal.
Patty
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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There is no shame in using your hands to get dirty to make a living. If you are able to take care of your family, it doesn't matter how you do it, as long as it's not illegal.
Patty
Comment Written 30-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Absolutely, Patty, this is no shame in it if you can support yourself and your family if you have one. Thank you for this understanding review and excellent rating.
Have a pleasant upcoming weekend,
Jesse
Comment from Iza Deleanu
I admire very much people who have magical hands, the work executed by them these people we can see every step of the way. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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I admire very much people who have magical hands, the work executed by them these people we can see every step of the way. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.
Comment Written 29-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Hmm, yes, magical hands...I can see what you mean, Iza, about those who work hard, can see it through to the end with satisfying results. I will continue to write with encouraging reviews like this one under my belt. Thank you very much for the excellent rating and review.
Have a good day,
Jesse
Comment from Dilettante junior
Nice job with your poem James. It is quite an original subject. You are right for I believe physical labor brings an honor of its own and certainly a great reward. Keep it up! Cheers, DJ
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Nice job with your poem James. It is quite an original subject. You are right for I believe physical labor brings an honor of its own and certainly a great reward. Keep it up! Cheers, DJ
Comment Written 29-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Thank you, DJ, for your encouraging comments. Yes, hard work, like building a project from scratch, brings honor and offers a great reward! Thank you for telling me to keep it up!
Have a great weekend,
Jesse
Comment from Elizabeth Emerald
Fresh and compelling theme, powerfully rendered in fine rhyme--stunning imagery: staunch mind-benders ... the hand, where life begins ... you nailed the closing stanza.
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Fresh and compelling theme, powerfully rendered in fine rhyme--stunning imagery: staunch mind-benders ... the hand, where life begins ... you nailed the closing stanza.
Comment Written 29-Apr-2021
reply by the author on 30-Apr-2021
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Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for your enthusiastic review. I am happy you chose the last stanza as the best. It was my favorite too. I am also glad you noticed the internal rhymes. Thank you for the excellent rating and review.
Have a good day,
Jesse