For Jobs Contest: Strawberry Fields Forever - - Not

There aren’t too many jobs that kids can do
when they are in their pre-teen years, but we
knew of a place to work where berries grew.
To pick them was a job of misery.

In June, my siblings and I went each day;
into a field with hats and pails we’d go!
On hands and knees, through dirt we’d crawl our way
while picking berries up and down each row.

I still recall the rock ‘n roll we played -
our only pleasure as we all perspired
in Iowa’s damp heat, away from shade.
When we were through at last, we felt so tired.

No smaller pay have I since ever got.
But how I loved the treats that money bought!
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Lindley Avatar
April 13, 2015 at 6:39 PM
You picked berries for cash while as kids we picked berries for food. Same sweat and hard work in each case! Thanks for commenting on my hard work poem... A7 and I see this one placed first in a contest. Congrats..
Zerbst Avatar
January 30, 2015 at 11:34 AM
Yes, there is something about hard earned cash that makes a body feel satisfied. Something to be proud of. But I still do feel for you, little girl. What misery in the heat all day!
Bateson Avatar
December 17, 2014 at 11:49 AM
I never liked that job but picking rasberries at my Grand parents was fun. She tied the can around our waist with a cord and we ate more than we picked. Lots of good memories..
Horne Avatar
December 13, 2014 at 4:31 PM
so glad this was a big winner - also glad these pretty bad memories had at least a positive outcome
Allison Avatar
December 13, 2014 at 2:39 PM
dropping by with my congrats:-) Hugs jan xx
Okoye Avatar
December 13, 2014 at 11:22 AM
congratulations on your win Andrea. Merry Christmas
Stoner Jr Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 9:01 PM
congratulations on your win Andrea, well deserved
Walker Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 6:38 PM
I remember picking those strawberries with you and I liked doing it. I didn't like the raspberries because I saw a snake and a bird scared me have to death when I reached for the raspberries and it flew out at me. I really liked the Summer I spent with you and I picked cherries, that was by far the funnest to do. Climbing trees and getting money for having fun. Can't do it now though, hips and shoulders and bones and all.
Dietrich Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 10:28 PM
gosh, I don't even remember the cherries, Jenny, and that is the only fruit I really like. Well, the raspberries taste good too. you LIKED the strawberry picking?? Good grief. hahaha (remember the doritos we would buy with that money?)
Haight Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 4:52 PM
Hi Andrea, I thoroughly enjoyed your jobs poem! You presented nice detail and images that reinforced how this was not a favorite thing for you to do! Congratulations on your 1st Place win! Sandra
Kayode Avatar
December 12, 2014 at 11:07 AM
What an experience! congrats on the win Andrea...huggs
Mcintosh Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 11:17 PM
Hard work is good for the soul. Nicely written. Love and prayers, Gina
Meier-Hans Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 9:17 PM
I can really relate to this Andrea. It's a very hard job, but I know how great it was to earn your own money.
Gorelick Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 9:15 PM
What a miserable job...But you got to sneak a berry Ill bet. Congrats my dear.
Lawless Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 6:19 PM
Congrats on your top spot in the contest. Never picked them but sure did love the strawberry shortcake.
Roper Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 1:31 PM
Andrea, congradulaitons on first place one, sweet berries are good. Blessings 7
Richards Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 10:02 AM
In the little town where I grew up, we were known for apricot orchards. So every summer as a pre teen, I worked cutting lugs of apricots, laying them out on trays for the drying sheds ! To this day, I cannot face a dried apricot without thinking of those golden, sweaty, hard days, but still a great memory! This poem reminds me ...same kind of "kid labor" , but a growing up opportunity that kids today don't have!
May Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 8:51 AM
Congrats on a great win Andrea
Mehta Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 8:45 AM
Congrats on the first place win with the memories of the past, Andrea
Kendrick Avatar
December 11, 2014 at 7:04 AM
Thanks for participating in my contest..I appreciate you sharing part of your life with us..I bet those strawberries were good..Sara
Thirtyseven Avatar
December 6, 2014 at 6:08 AM
A wonderful story. In recent years, my wife and I have paid for the pleasure to pick strawberries, and their kin. What were we thinking???
Kiser Avatar
December 5, 2014 at 1:05 AM
Your berries were obviously more pleasant to pick than blackberries. I recall picking blackberries and never even noticed the gathering crowd of ticks until I got to the house. My white under garments were covered on the inside, black with ticks.
Sirak Avatar
December 2, 2014 at 6:13 AM
Brings back memories. We used to go to the u-pick strawberry fields every summer. Picking wasn't fun but eating Mom's strawberry shortcake was worth it.
Deschler Avatar
November 30, 2014 at 1:25 AM
I like eating those strawberries, and they're worth the work of picking them. But, the rewards an allowance brings are even sweeter!... I enjoyed reading about the warm summertime on this cold winter's day. A great sonnet, Andrea! Good luck in Sara's contest!
Fleming Avatar
November 29, 2014 at 10:15 PM
As always, your poetry has that individual flair and is highly descriptive...you have a talent!! :) john
Johnson Avatar
November 29, 2014 at 6:23 PM
An Iowa girl, dingy and dirty. Is worth more than one that is flirty. Good honest work for half a dime. You can't buy memories of that kind of time. Peace. :)
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