Best Workwork Poems
If you'd have lived and worked on Juno Ranch, you’d have come away better for it. It
may not have seemed like it at the time but Pancho (Uncle Frank) would put it to you, an’ it
was for you to decide to do it, what to do with it, or to fight. The motto was, “You either work
or fight, there ain’t no quittin’ on this-here ranch.”
Pancho cultivated a reputation as a living legend in his fifty-some years in the Devil’s
River country of the Texas frontier. He loved his life, family, work and felt plumb lucky to be
livin’ it. He believed there was art in every undertakin’ an’ practiced the highest standards in
dealin’ with any an’ all comers. He savvied horses, cattle an’ the land; and death was just the
gate that opened into higher pastures.
Ride 'em Pancho!
The cowboy wakes before each dawn
With blurry eyes n'a mournful yawn;
Gets breakfast down, just bacon'n eggs,
An' biscuits dunked in coffee dregs.
He feeds the stock some oats an' hay
In growin' light of break o' day.
Then Pancho comes an' rigs a hoss,
An' chews his butt, 'cause he's the boss.
“The sun is up, you little bride!
We're loosin' light! We gotta ride!”
So they ride out to make their rounds
In echoed clops of hoof-beat sounds.
The sun is high 'bout half-passed noon,
An' dinnertime is none too soon.
He eats his beans an' taters fast,
Then rolls a smoke an' rests at last.
He dreams of how he'll spend his pay
When he's in town on Saturday,
An' where he'll go to have some fun
With gals who'll laugh and call him, "Hun..."
He gets his hat an' pulls it down,
Forgets the dream of gals in town,
Cause if he ain't just damn near dead,
The work comes first on Pancho's spread.
Think you’ve got the workplace blues
No matter what work you do
These words will hopefully inspire you
Yes, your job may be redundant
But the paychecks are abundant
Some days you will get off track
But the next day know your plan of attack
Bring a smile and get it back
If your productivity is ever low
Learn from the experience and continue to grow
Remember, “You reap what you sow”
Keeping a positive attitude can sometimes be rough
Remembering your mission and purpose is often enough
Embrace what’s in your control and let go of the small stuff
There’s no need to be discouraged
Each day someone’s dreams you encourage
As cliché’ as it may seem
You are the gateway to many dreams
Recognize the value in what that means
No need for the Workplace Blues
Instead, work on the attitude you choose
Think of the many lives enriched by you
Lay
All work and no play
Makes Jack a dull boy
All work and no play
Makes a life without joy
Don’t live to work
Take time for leisure
You should work to live
Life should be a pleasure
You don’t have to work
Every hour that God sends
Spend precious time
With family and friends
Don’t work all the time Jack
Get this into your head
You’re only alive for a short time
But you’re a long time dead
Form:
I've thought about giving up. I thought life was just too hard.
Would you quit a high money game, just because you were dealt bad cards?
If you fell off a horse, would you think you were done and just start walking by it's side?
Would you cry and pout or get back up? Get on that horse and ride?
You may not succeed the first try, but there's always another chance.
In life, in sports, in playing games, and even in romance.
Practice makes perfect with everything in life. Work always comes along with it.
You may get frustrated but never give up. Champions would never quit it.
Do you think Michael Jordan just grabbed a ball and dunked it on his first try?
Or did he play again and again? Now it seems like he can fly.
Some are born with greatness. Others work and work to achieve.
You can do anything you want in life. All you have to do is believe!
We take care of the tenants in the buildings where we work everyday
but the owners can't seem to comprehend that we don't make enough pay
as porters, handymen, supers and those who man the front doors
we're just trying to survive in a city which we can no longer afford
We mop their floors, walk their dogs and taxis for them we procure
we fix their sinks, deal with their trash and do so much more
we're not asking for a lot but what they want to give us is a crime
we're just trying to live in the city of which we devote our time
Born and bred New Yorkers or Immigrants from every country
we work hard at our jobs and deserve decent salaries
we came with a contract proposal that was justified and fair
they then came back with some bull s*#t with figures from out of the air
Living in the city in the midst of the struggle and strife
living in the city we're just trying to build a life
doing the best we can with what little we have got
it's now time for the RAB Board to get up off the money pot
Living in the city just raising our families
living in the city with sub par salaries
to the RAB Board we don't want to hear any more of your hype
do the right thing or 32BJ will definitely call a strike
Today I watched a couple of construction crews;
Totally facinated by some of the tools they used.
Their work required them to be up in the air,
Yet 'twas by different means that they got there.
One crew used a telescoping arm,
And an enclosed bucket to keep the workers safe from harm.
Although the boom could handle jobs very tall,
The bucket's workspace was very small!
The second crew used a scissors-lift.
It required steady hands on the controls,--and that's a real gift!
The scissors mechanism is topped by a long, narrow, platform,
On which several workers could perform
Their given tasks, and have room to spare;
While being firmly supported way up in the air.
There are other jobs carried out in mid-air domains:
For example, consider the crews on our many airplanes.
Some men are lowered from the roof to do
The outside of office windows that executives look through.
And the highest mid-air job in this nation,
Are the astronauts who repair problems outside the space station.
My Father does His best work in the air!
He needs no lift, since He's already there.
What a beautiful sunrise He created today!
Remember the awesome clouds He gave us yesterday?
He orchestrates the seasons from His home in the sky.
Eons ago, He placed the sun, moon, and stars on high.
Someday He'll tell me my earth-work is done,
And He'll receive me to my eternal home.
I'll be transported, far beyond the highest of heavens,
Not by any type of lift, but by the Grace which He has given.
Charlie Pelota HSLP
An effective supervisor
lets the workers know who’s boss.
His job’s to get the work done,
make sure no work time’s lost.
An effective supervisor
will be firm but treat them fair.
He gives the workers some respect.
He shows them that he cares.
It really makes a difference
If they’re treated fair and square.
Knowing if they need some help
That someone will be there.
If they’re treated properly
The results will blow your mind,
Cause happy workers do rather well
That’s what your going to find.
So if you expect the very best
From those you supervise
You simply show respect for them
That is the best advice.
Provide a pleasant workplace
And treat the workers fair
The results will be rewarding
If you show you really care.
The working Class Hero
From town to town, all across this great land,
You can see the work of a laboring hand.
Not many know their name,
But in my eyes they are heroes just the same.
From driving a nail to driving a stake.
They have pride in what they make.
From construction to demolition.
They are part of the working mans coalition.
You can’t buy a membership to get in.
These are hard working women and men.
They’ve paid their dues, by the sweat of their brows.
From the factory work to pulling up dirt with plows.
These folk get paid cash , by the hour.
Around here its done with man power.
They have calloused hands and tired feet.
They work on through the rain, sun, slow and sleet.
They know there’s no shame in a job well done.
None of these folks have ever worked for fun.
Covered in grease and their knuckles are scarred.
Ain’t a one of them scared to work hard.
They are the kind who work through the pain.
These folks have never rode the gravy train.
They know the job isn’t done until it’s done.
They are the ones who are up and gone before the sun.
These people won’t do it unless they can put their name to it.
They know it is a dirty job, but someone has to do it.
They pour concrete and haul hay.
They know what it means to put in a honest day.
They are the ones who are the backbone,
They are Americas cornerstone.
I am proud to be one of the few,
We could use more like me and you.
A few more hours and I’ll have put my day in,
But don’t you worry I’ll be back tomorrow to do it again.
Even though my paycheck won’t ever have more than a few zeros,
It’s okay because I know I’m one of the working class heroes.
Sarah Comstock
6-15-08
Form:
Bountiful castles with walls of sand
Each grain an intricate part
Albatross squawk in high demand
Con morsels from those with soft hearts
Hot bodies bask in the blazing sun
Bikinis boast dangerous curves
Lifeguards patrol tanned to well done
As surfers show off their steel nerves
Nautical transports battle the swells
Kites soar aloft dot the sky
Enveloped in rays and happy kid yells
Transfers to a new level high
Blankets of color protect fragile skin
Immense weight of stress melts away
Nod off gently and try to imagine
Going to work every day
On a beach where work is like play
Randy Steele
Beach Blanket Bingo contest
We come again to the stall at the gate
We come to the memory of empire
Where Delphine sat, the humble queen in state
And fed her family from one desire
That they should noble live, and work and dream
And love … and the gate was her throne supreme
But roll back now the tears of dusty days
When the sweet scent of sugar like anthem rise
From the sweat of workers, and see amaze
Miss Delphina with God’s fire in her eyes
This woman at Caymanas toiling pass
The sun’s hot noon, noble and full of class
See her, a mother, a warrior queen
Whipped by circumstance without surrender
Did anyone call her timid, call her mean?
Who could not find a place then to shelter?
Who did not taste her kindness? Higglers too
Serve for love, O mother, we honor you
From the coal black of days you supplied us
And your children five want not, O, nor need
But your hard work and love so inspired us
We rise in common hope so to succeed
With dignity, but not proud, a true friend
Rarely found in the common walks of men.
Caste nor class can cast decree, nor limit
Our aptitude to rise. Belief has wings
Death cannot break, faith flies in the spirit
And through slant of rain its brimmed vision sings
Delphina, Delphina, we miss you though
The door is so silent through which you go
No more the produce truck will hear her voice
Nor weary hands dry a child’s hungry tears
O death be humble, dare you now rejoice
She sleeps till Jesus shall for his kingdom appears
And we will hear great heaven’s trumpet blow
And with you mother we will rise and go
I met him and talked to him only twice
Both times between the mumbles and grumbles what he had to say wasn't nice
Complaining about this person or task
Why so negative, I thought to ask
Maybe it's not him, maybe it's all the others
Maybe he is really a nice guy incognito, maybe he is under cover
I soon feel all the negative vibes he does convey
On the job, whom ever has to work with him should receive Purdy pay
He claims to never get a fair break
He wants it and eat it too, but no one will give him the cake
Maybe he's hiding his true happiness, I never looked to see if his eyes are brown
He will never be struck by lightning, he is negatively ground
Working with him makes what seems like 24 hours out of an 8 hour work day
Please include in the next budget some Purdy pay
Form:
Nothing in life is still
...everything is actively progressing
Routine is an achiever’s friend
...work is a doer’s best friend
Work and routine co-operate to realise dreams
Work will set me free!
...work is the surest and only vehicle to my dreams
The other elements are consequential to work
...but in the realisation of dreams
Work is divine
I shall do my work with so much pride
...with passion, optimism and faith
With discipline, honesty and commitment
All my work shall be directed by my sharp focus on the all time goal
Constant and never ending improvement
...in fulfilling all I’m called upon
It’s hard to have to work for a living
Unless you like what the job is giving
Most people have to earn their bread
Or else it would be the dole instead
If I didn’t work it would be great
I wouldn’t worry about getting up late
No traffic jams on the way to get there
I wouldn’t have to worry or care
But it’s not for me not yet anyway
I will still have to go into work today
It would be so nice to say get lost
But I really have to think of the cost
The hustle and bustle of the working day
I do all this for my monthly pay
At the end of the month when I get paid
Then I’m always glad that I stayed
Working hard all day from nine till five
It’s not easy but at least I can survive
In the winter it would be nice to retire
To stay home all day in front of the fire
the Government gives developers and corporations huge tax breaks
but the workers only get poverty wages and public funds they need to take
to earn $8 dollars an hour on which to raise a family
I don't know about you but I think that's an absurdity
we need prevailing wages to be set in the work place
what those companies are trying to pay the workers is a disgrace
Albany get off your rear ends and do the job for which you've been elected
for as sure as you're in that position by the people you can be rejected
you've lost the people's trust and New Yorkers are in an uproar
stop all the filabustering and get some legislation passed into law
Justice in the Work Place that's one of the reason you were sent to Albany
Justice in the Work Place for the workers and their families
You think you are an important employee
You think to yourself “they can’t replace me”
Indispensability is in your frame of mind
Always on hand, one of the reliable kind
You never take vacations your work is your life
You work every weekend no time for a wife
There is more to life than work, no don’t scoff
Work is a means to an end, take some time off
You may think you are indispensible but you’re not
You think your contribution will never be forgot
But the thing that you will find most incredible
Is that the graveyard is full of the indispensible
Form: