Gershon Wolf Poet Couplet

Land of Opportunity

I take my hat off for the flag
  I stand up straight; let others sag
I get all weepy for Old Glory
  thinking of my family's story

They came from Russia with naught but hope
  with just their wits to help them cope
No language skills or education either
  Money or living quarters, they had neither

But they scraped and scrimped, and just kept going
  Gramps peddled junk, grams did the sewing
And with the help of God, it all worked out
  Hard work and faith -- their kids did sprout

My father an attorney, my uncle a physician
  All due to gram and gramps' prescient intuition
To emigrate alone, part of no community
  to an unknown land of opportunity

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Panagiota Romios November 19, 2020 at 8:47 AM Glad to see you got ranked high with this one as one of the most popular 100" Mazel! My entire family had no degrees. My Grandfather did art works, no degree, his lamps hang from the basilica of Notre Dame. Art deco elevator doors at Tribune Tower and Gargoyles atop Wrigley Building, plus ironworks at Brookkfield Zoo he made of animals. He raised a family of 8! My Dad was a business owner and did well, no degree. Grandpa began as a coal miner in Philly. Gershon Wolf November 19, 2020 at 5:09 PM Your grandfather sounds like an incredibly talented, creative gentleman. You come from good stock, Panagiota... And nice to see your tribute to Tom Cunningham up there on that Top 100 List too. Light and Joy, Gershon

Evelyn Judy Buehler November 9, 2020 at 9:39 PM Congratulations on POTD, with this remarkable and inspiring, touching poem, Gershon. Good wishes, Evelyn :) Gershon Wolf November 10, 2020 at 5:43 PM Always nice to read your uplifting words, Evelyn. They, and you, continue to inspire me. ~ Sweetness and Light, Gershon

Alexis Y. November 9, 2020 at 5:40 PM Hi Gershon, I’m just coming back to say congratulations on getting the poem of day( although I’m a bit late). It was well deserved. Enjoy your evening:-) Alexis Gershon Wolf November 9, 2020 at 6:29 PM Never too late, Alexis. Always a pleasure to see your avatar and read your comments. Cheers, Gershon

Paula Goldsmith November 8, 2020 at 8:43 AM Congratulations on your POTD win. A wonderful story/write. Your write speakers for millions of people. God and hard work were the key. A wonderful tribute to your parents and grandparents. You are a wonderful writer and a great addition to your family............... Gershon Wolf November 9, 2020 at 6:28 PM Thank you so much, Paula. Very, very kind of you to write such words of praise. I'm sure that your family is quite proud of you!! Best alwayus, Gershon

Arturo Michael November 8, 2020 at 7:51 AM The sacrifice your grandparents made for you all is pure love...Congratulations Gershon Wolf... Gershon Wolf November 9, 2020 at 6:27 PM A belated thank you, Arturo, for recognizing all the sacrifices my grandparents had to make. Theirs were hard lives. :) gw

David Mchattie November 7, 2020 at 10:31 AM What a wonderful story though I'm sure they had their hardships along the way. We all owe a lot to those who came before. Stay frosty my friend. Gershon Wolf November 7, 2020 at 6:31 PM David, always a pleasure to hear from you. Have a great weekend! :) gw

Mark Koplin November 6, 2020 at 2:54 PM This was an amazing poem to read Gershon! Congratulations on POTD! I tip my hat to you good sir! Gershon Wolf November 7, 2020 at 6:25 PM Thank you so much, Mark. :) gw

Jennifer Proxenos November 6, 2020 at 10:55 AM Gershon, a wonderful tribute to your grandparents, how many have the same story, mostly Americans, Australians and ethnic communities from Europe including Greece. It was mostly parents who slaved late hours in the cafeterias here for their children (our generation) to be able to go to University and thus were given, as you were, the opportunities you had in life. We owe our success to our parents and grandparents . Beautiful poem and I have faved it already! Congratulations on POTD - hope you enjoyed your day. Blessings and hugs, Jennifer. Gershon Wolf November 6, 2020 at 11:00 AM Thank you so much for your spirited support, Jennifer, and for the FAVE. Always an honor for me. Happiness and Joy, Gershon

Caren Krutsinger November 6, 2020 at 1:47 AM Congrats on POTD. This is an excellent write that gives America her pride. Gershon Wolf November 6, 2020 at 11:01 AM We can use all the pride we can get right now. God bless America, Gershon

Simon Hamill November 6, 2020 at 12:36 AM Great story.your family deserve the POTD. loved it.take care.simon Gershon Wolf November 6, 2020 at 11:02 AM Thank you so much for your kind words, Simon. Cheers, Gershon

Anitha Jayasankar November 5, 2020 at 11:33 PM A great story and a well deserving POTD. Your golden lines prove that with 'hard work and faith', anything is POSSIBLE! Have a great day Gershon. Best regards ~ Ani Gershon Wolf November 6, 2020 at 11:24 AM You are so right, Ani. Here's to Possibilities: Even the sky is not the limit! :) gw

John Watt November 5, 2020 at 6:01 PM Wonderful words of pride in your family's legacy, and the country they chose to pursue their dream in. Hats off to you, Gershon, for POTD. Let's hear it for hard work and faith. ~ another blessed American Gershon Wolf November 6, 2020 at 11:25 AM Thank you for your comment, which is so true. We are blessed to live in this land. Happy Friday, Gershon

Brandy Nicole November 5, 2020 at 5:14 PM "I take my hat off for the flag. I stand up straight" This says so much about you and your character. Your family. My heart smiles. Congratulations Gershon, on Poem of the Day. :) Brandy Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 5:29 PM Very kind of you to write such sweet words, Brandy. Thank you so much for your continued support and encouragement. Moonlight and Song, Gershon

Eve Roper November 5, 2020 at 5:06 PM Great family story, Gershon, congratulations on POTD. Hugs Eve Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 5:24 PM Eve, thank you so much for your support! Happy Thursday evening. :) Gershon

Connie Marcum Wong November 5, 2020 at 4:30 PM How wonderful your story is Gershon. I love hearing successful stories of immigrants who have come to America and prospered through determination and hard work as did my ancestors from Ireland and England. I so enjoyed reading of your family history. Congratulations on a much deserved POTD! xxoo Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 4:45 PM Thank YOU, Connie, for your uplifting comment. Peace and Serenity, Gershon

Jan Allison November 5, 2020 at 3:02 PM what an uplifting story GW one others will be able to relate to, many congrats on POTD:-) hugs jan xx Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 3:53 PM Jan, thank you for such a nice comment, and for all of your support, day in and day out. Smiles, Gershon

Sunlite Wanter November 5, 2020 at 2:27 PM Congratulations all the way around to a complete American. Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 3:48 PM Thank you so much, Sunlite. ~ Patriotic and Proud of It, Gershon

Regina Mcintosh November 5, 2020 at 1:10 PM Well... I commented on this earlier but it doesn't show up... don't know why. Very good poem. Love it. God bless you Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 3:46 PM Thank you, Regina. Sounds like there was a glitch somewhere,... though sometimes I write comments 'in my mind,' and then I don't find them recorded, amazingly... Peace, Gershon Regina Mcintosh November 5, 2020 at 1:25 PM And Congrats :)

Monique Whittingham November 5, 2020 at 12:33 PM This is a very moving poem, great story. Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 3:43 PM Appreciate your moving words, Monique. Peace, Gershon

Beryl Edmonds November 5, 2020 at 12:17 PM How brave of your family, what a story and rise to glory. Hard work and determination to overcome hardship definitely paid off. Congratulations on poem of the day... Belle Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 3:41 PM Thank you, Belle. And thanks for all of your support, day in and day out! Grit and Determination, Gershon

W.A. Cholt November 5, 2020 at 10:21 AM Nicely written. Hard work, determination and faith. A winning combination. America is truly a great country. Congratulations on POTD. Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 3:39 PM Thanks for your support, W.A! Health and Happiness, Gershon

Victor Buhagiar November 5, 2020 at 10:17 AM It's a pleasure to see immigrants work hard and succeed. Congratulations for your POTD. ~~ Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 10:23 AM Yes, it is, Victor. Immigrants are truly the 'face of America.' Thank you for your support. ~ Gershon

Sam Kauffman November 5, 2020 at 10:03 AM A real "yankee doodle dandy," Gershon. This poem is a treasure for your family and for us! Both sides of my family fought in the Revolutionary War and one of our daughters-in-law came from a man who signed all four of the Revolutionary documents including the Declaration and the Constitution. We have much to be proud of and I too stand for our anthem! Congratulations on your POTD. Not just patriotic but a sincere love of this couintry! Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 10:12 AM Thanks, Sam. Although I don't shy from 'patriotic,' which should be sincere, not jingoistic. Happy Thursday. :) gw

John Gondolf November 5, 2020 at 8:39 AM A great story, Gershon, there is something to be said for hard work and persistence. Congrats on POTD. Cheers, John Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 10:07 AM John, it's always an honor to receive your support. Peace and Serenity, Gershon

Akkina Downing November 5, 2020 at 5:29 AM Congratulations on you POTD, Gershon! And a lovely story :) Gershon Wolf November 5, 2020 at 10:06 AM Thank you for the encouragement, Akkina! Happiness and Hope, Gershon

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