Home » Poems » Duke Beaufort » one of these days

Duke Beaufort | + Follow Poet |

one of these days

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Duke Beaufort.

An irreverent classic country tune perfromed by Johnny Paycheck provided inspiration. He had a tough life and spent some time in jail. This song may appeal to many of us as the purpose of our work becomes questionable:

A job defines bits of our life Though it often causes us strife We’ll find a new fit If we choose to quit And not slit our wrists with a knife

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Linda Alice Fowler

Date: 6/16/2024 7:34:00 AM

LOL. I am a jill of all and mistress of none. Being a generalist keeps it interesting. Nice limerick Duke! Love your choice of music to accompany your poem. :)

Duke Beaufort
Date: 10/18/2024 7:19:00 AM

Linda, always good do be aware of as much as possible! Thanks for noting the song and glad you are in charge of your own life. That usually beats working for a taskmaster. Unfortunately, many have elements of servitude in our society rather than teamwork and sharing in the benefits of labor!

Sara Kendrick

Date: 6/13/2024 12:48:00 PM

Ha!! Ha!! There are jobs out there, but do we want the jobs available. I am too old to be in the job market, but I have worked some in the past on part-time temporary jobs. Having children and a home I never felt that a full-time job was what I could do and do the rest of my responsibilities. Sara K

Duke Beaufort
Date: 6/20/2024 5:11:00 PM

Sara, there are jobs for some of us for sure. A good job is another story. The last one I had was great until a new supervisor came in and didn't let many of us follow through on several years of work. That was a huge waste and many of us did the Johnny Paycheck thing! Sometimes, we have to walk!

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 5/31/2024 9:31:00 AM

Hi Duke, we have had our own family business for 38 years now. The first 20 years i loved it and to this date we are supported by more than a few Hospitals. At one stage we had 7 employees working for us. The number dwindled as it sounds glamorous to be a personnel consultant, but it is hard work head hunting OR source assigning. We kept our business, just Hubby and I as a great many of our clients still contact us, but I have had enough though, as I an never let go, the tail of the tiger. Excellent write which contains many words of wisdom. Blessings, Jennifer.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 6/4/2024 4:51:00 AM

Thanks Jennifer, the benefits of being your own boss (to a great extent) make the kind of work situation you have much better than most. As you say, it takes a great deal of hard work to keep a business going strong. If we become less enthusiastic about work as we age, it's probably telling you something, but it's hard to know. It's very hard to define and understand a life's work. I loved my past job and I had the opportunity to innovate and try to demonstrate a better way to publish technical manuals. However, a critical piece involved having a supportive manager. When that person retired, I found myself in a much more difficult situation and decided to retire. You're very fortunate at least not to have that to worry about.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 5/27/2024 7:06:00 PM

We should be able to find fulfillment in our jobs and not want to run for the hills.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/28/2024 11:28:00 AM

Kim, that is certainly the hope. Everyone should have a job they like doing. BTW, I joined the union in the last job I had although it was optional. I believe that many employers will overwork and take advantage of workers if they are not prevented from doing so. Most jobs can be fun provided the management creates a reasonable environment.

Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 5/26/2024 4:12:00 PM

Hello Duke, if a person is not happy with their job. they quit. Then go looking for another job. people sometimes do not like their jobs. so they need a change. enjoy your evening my friend. /Darlene/

Darlene De Beaulieu
Date: 5/28/2024 11:39:00 AM

Hello Duke, Yes we should be thinking of our next job just in case, Duke. Enjoy your day my friend. /Darlene/

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/28/2024 11:14:00 AM

Darlene, your logic is on target. People usually do change when they can, Some should move on and suffer too long. We should be thinking about our next job....just in case.

Tonye George

Date: 5/25/2024 4:24:00 PM

Life comes with so many thoughts, opportunities, answers and decisions. We don't always have them all. But our courage to live through and ignore those whispering voices of harm is the win for us. Cheers, Duke.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/28/2024 10:09:00 AM

Tonye, you are exactly on target. Anxiety and feeling stuck do need to be vanquished with courage...not always easy. This is an issue for all of us at times.

Sotto Poet

Date: 5/25/2024 2:51:00 PM

Excellent limerick poem, Duke, it delves into the consequences of a job on an individual's life and the contemplation of leaving if it becomes too burdensome. It also explores the hardships of job hunting and the notion of exploring alternative paths when the current job proves to be overwhelming. You employ spot-on diction with a hint of dark humor, in the line referencing self-harm, to effectively convey the message of seeking a new job as a remedy to the challenges faced in the current role.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/28/2024 10:03:00 AM

SP, If I did all you say....then I did really well (lol). Yes, I tried to convey in the poem that when we have these feelings of sadness at work, that seeking something new is not a bad idea. It's better than wallowing in self pity. That never turns out very well. There was a content about blaming others or taking charge as the theme recently. This is similar in some ways.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 5/24/2024 3:57:00 PM

Good one. I don't hear of people slitting their throats. But it makes a great rhyme. I am lucky not to hate my job

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/27/2024 5:05:00 PM

Andrea, it was only dramatic for effect, but yes those of us with jobs we can derive enjoyment are the lucky ones. I've not always been in that situation, but also worked hard to get there.

Yolanda Nicholsen

Date: 5/24/2024 8:33:00 AM

This was an awesome experience totally enjoyed reading your work many blessings to you Duke.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/27/2024 6:27:00 PM

Thanks Yolanda and glad you saw this. There are a lot of people who would like to change their lives and this is a tribute to all of those who try. It ain't easy!!!!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 5/24/2024 2:31:00 AM

- A job defines great bits of our life, Duke - We spend 80 percent of our lives at work and in our minds - But who knows what the next turn if we choose to move on... difficult choice, my friend :) - hugs

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/27/2024 6:14:00 PM

Anne-Lise, I enjoyed reading this comment. You are very wise...we do not know the future, but can only try to arrange for something suitable. I see a lot of people moving around the work environment these days.

Hilda Greenhough

Date: 5/23/2024 7:31:00 PM

It only works if the next job is better. Those who know say let them fire you. Lol..

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/24/2024 1:06:00 AM

Thanks Hilda. It may depend on the circumstances and finances. Unemployment insurance isn’t the best.

Silent One

Date: 5/23/2024 10:36:00 AM

Damn... I think so many go through this.. especially as so many are stuck in a job they really do not want to do.. I dont really like my job, but it pays really well.. so i but up with it and its a big big company.. but i just want to be free... dont we all..

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/23/2024 11:00:00 AM

SO, you and so many are in a quandary. It's so hard to know what to do in this situation as we can't see what life will be like until we act and experience it. Uncharted waters always generate anxiety if one is alive. In my last 3 or 4 years of work, I was able to define a lot of my own activity...they let me work in a lab and design software systems using commercial off-the-shelf database software. I loved it really. My manager actually thought what we were doing was revolutionary, and she was right. It would change the way a lot of people worked and add much efficiency and quality to the work environment. Then, a new manager came in and saw no value for his immediate benefit. So things can change, and we must adjust. I was LUCKY to be in a position to QUIT!!! Very, very fortunate for me!!!

Daniel Henry Rodgers

Date: 5/23/2024 9:11:00 AM

Dear Duke, I really liked how your poem captures the raw essence of grappling with work's impact on our lives. It's a reflection on the plethora of struggles many face. Yet, I feel your message of resilience and the choice to seek a better fit is powerful. Great poetry Duke, expressing such universal sentiments with honesty and hope. - Blessings, my friend, Daniel

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/23/2024 10:46:00 AM

Daniel, you are very kind indeed. I just read your latest....To my children. You understand what is really important and write about it in a way that inspires. Our work lives are an important part of what makes us who we are, yet so many view it as torture. It's very difficult to find something we love and combine that with work...It appears that you have done so.

Sally Eslinger

Date: 5/23/2024 6:16:00 AM

Yes. Wishing my husband could have read this 4 years ago…he Should have quit before he was dismissed…his job, tho not the vocation, literally kept making him sick. Thus, a very reflective pen hereHugs

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/23/2024 10:25:00 AM

Sally, I perceive you as angelic somehow. Your wish is a sign that you care and were hurt by what you observed and lived. I would like to think reading this may have helped, but the readiness for change is difficult to foster in many of us. It's certainly easier to think about leaving in retrospect. For some of us, the loss of a job can create a lot of anxiety. However, having a viable vocation should make it easier. Whatever happened, we hopefully learn from it and get ourselves removed from unpleasantness when we can. There's wisdom in thinking about the next job while currently employed...especially since situations can change quickly. I had though that to be silly when I was happily employed, but the world is different today.

Vijay Pandit

Date: 5/23/2024 4:27:00 AM

Excellent depiction of anxiety jobs creates--especially when someone doesn't quite like the work. Kudos my friend for highlighting this experience everyone can relate to in some way.

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/23/2024 10:20:00 AM

Thanks Vijay, I think it's becoming more of an issue as we march into the future because many of the jobs people always had are about to disappear. This creates a lot of stress, and it's difficult to find pleasant work. Hate it when it starts to feel like prison.

Ink Empress

Date: 5/23/2024 3:22:00 AM

What a powerful and deep limerick this is! Especially that last line: i was just conversing a while ago to someone with anxiety over their job, and how it makes them feel mentally so exhausted, and i think this limerick fits exactly what iv got to offer as advice! I must share this with her. Pleasure always reading your work: they hit the soul of readers in the most touching manner! Sending you light

Duke Beaufort
Date: 5/23/2024 9:46:00 AM

IE, I'm glad you found this useful. One of the reasons for writing this way is to share feelings and try let others know they are not alone. My last job was starting to make me physically sick...the important safety-related work was subjugated by a new supervisor and I started to get headaches.It took me several months to realize it was time to quit. Fortunately, retirement was a viable option, but without that, I've always found changing jobs induces a lot of stress. Glad to say--virtually no headaches now!!!!