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Subject: WORKERS
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UPDATE command denied to user 'poetryex_users'@'localhost' for table `poetryex_poems`.`subcnt` 3 A.M. KITCHEN: MY FATHER TALKING, by TESS GALLAGHER    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: For years it was land working me, oil fields
Last Line: Some days now I just don’t know
Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Industry; Labor & Laborers; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; Work; Workers


A BALLAD OF A WORKMAN, by JOHN DAVIDSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All day beneath polluted skies
Last Line: And forge and mould the world anew.'
Subject(s): Alchemy & Alchemists; Ambition; Death; Hope; Labor & Laborers; Temptation; Dead, The; Optimism; Work; Workers


A CREOLE TRIPTYCH: 2. THE PLAINSMAN, by JOSE SANTOS CHOCANO    Poem Text                    
First Line: In his bronze face a something sombre shows
Last Line: Like some light rainbow o'er the cataracts.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Prairies; Work; Workers; Plains


A CREOLE TRIPTYCH: 3. THE GAUCHO, by JOSE SANTOS CHOCANO    Poem Text                    
First Line: He is the pampa's very own, - a bit
Last Line: Or reaches onward as a hope betrayed.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


A DESCRIPTION OF THE MORNING, by JONATHAN SWIFT    Poem Text     Poem Explanation             Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now hardly here and there a hackney-coach
Last Line: And schoolboys lag with satchels in their hands.
Variant Title(s): Morning In London
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Morning; Work; Workers


A FAREWELL TO FOLLY: CONTENT, by ROBERT GREENE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sweet are the thoughts that savor of content
Last Line: A mind content both crown and kingdom is.
Variant Title(s): A Mind Content;maesia's Song;a Contented Mind;song
Subject(s): Contentment; Happiness; Labor & Laborers; Life; Joy; Delight; Work; Workers


A GOLDEN LOT, by JOSEPH SKIPSEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In the coal-pit, or the factory
Last Line: And a golden lot is mine.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Mines And Miners; Work; Workers


A GREAT INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, by EDITH BLAND NESBIT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Squalid street after squalid street
Last Line: While they did your work -- in hell!
Alternate Author Name(s): Nesbit, E.; Bland, Mrs. Hubert
Subject(s): Capitalism; Labor & Laborers; Socialism; Work; Workers


A HOLIDAY, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The house is like a garden
Last Line: Some women are like that, do what you may.
Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs.
Subject(s): Family Life; Holidays; Home; Labor & Laborers; Love; Relatives; Work; Workers


A LAY OF THE TAMBOUR FRAME, by JANET HAMILTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Bending with straining eyes
Last Line: She is ever the same.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Women's Rights; Work; Workers; Feminism


A LEGEND OF MAIDEN LANE, by ARTHUR GUITERMAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas dusk in the dale, but the clover ...
Last Line: "as a sweete, wholesome laugh from ye hearte of a mayde!"
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Legends; New York City - Dutch Period; Temptation; Work; Workers


A LONE STRIKER, by ROBERT FROST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: The swinging mill bell changed its rate
Last Line: Come get him——they knew where to search
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


A MIGRANT, by JOHN FREEMAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A migrant from the waking world to sleep's
Last Line: Hastening lest death should find him unemployed.
Subject(s): Fear; Migrant Labor; Migratory Workers; Agricultural Laborers


A MORNING-PIECE, OR, AN HYMN FOR THE HAY-MAKERS, by CHRISTOPHER SMART    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Brisk chaunticleer his matins had begun
Last Line: And we'll dance to the tune of the stream.
Subject(s): Fields; Labor & Laborers; Shepherds & Shepherdesses; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers


A NAVVY'S PHILOSOPHY, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Across life's varied ways we drift
Last Line: Beside the master of the hall.
Subject(s): Architecture & Architects; Brotherhood; Death; Labor & Laborers; Sacrifices; Dead, The; Work; Workers


A NIGHT IN A VILLAGE, by IVAN SAVVICH NIKITIN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sultry air, the smoke of shavings
Last Line: "trust, my soul, be brave!"
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Russia; Villages; Work; Workers; Soviet Union; Russians


A PHOTO OF MINERS USA, 1908, by BRENDAN JAMES GALVIN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: With trees backing them / instead of the pit's mouth
Subject(s): Child Labor; Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


A PLOUGHMAN AT ELTHAM, by VICTOR GUSTAVE PLARR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Cross-legged, and brown as his field in hue
Last Line: Whither its poor go down.
Subject(s): Change; Labor & Laborers; Plowing & Plowmen; Work; Workers


A POEM BY GARNIE BRAXTON, by JAMES WRIGHT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Garnie, I wish I was a sea gull
Last Line: I been there once
Alternate Author Name(s): Wright, James A.
Subject(s): Birds; Children; Gulls; Labor & Laborers; Childhood; Seagulls; Work; Workers


A SHORT SONG OF CONGRATULATION, by SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784)    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Long-expected one and twenty
Last Line: You can hang or drown at last!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson, Dr.
Variant Title(s): One And Twenty
Subject(s): Birthdays; Inheritance & Succession; Labor & Laborers; Marriage; Wealth; Youth; Heirs; Work; Workers; Weddings; Husbands; Wives; Riches; Fortunes


A SONG OF LABOUR; DEDICATED TO MY FELLOW-WORKERS WITH PICK AND SHOVEL, by ALEXANDER ANDERSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Let us sing, my toiling brothers, with our rough, rude voice a song
Last Line: Labour's mightiest epic rolling through the panting heart of toil.
Alternate Author Name(s): Surfaceman
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


A SONG OF PROGRESS, by ALEXANDER ANDERSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Come away from pick and shovel for another day again
Last Line: And the thinking that I help them at my lowly labour here.
Alternate Author Name(s): Surfaceman
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


A SONG OF WORK, by MARY (MAY) ELIZABETH (MCGRATH) BLAKE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Work while the sun climbeth high in the heaven
Last Line: Then at the last, find rest with god.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


A THRESHER OF WHEAT TO THE WYNDES, by JOACHIM DU BELLAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: To you light troupe that ryde
Last Line: And noon is without shadowe.
Alternate Author Name(s): Du Bellay, Joachim
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Wheat; Work; Workers


A TRIBUTE TO DAD, by CLARA MCKEE BEEDE    Poem Text                    
First Line: My dad, he's a star in the heavens
Last Line: Let's give them the honor that's due.
Subject(s): Honor; Labor & Laborers; Memory; Work; Workers


A VALEDICTORY TO STANDARD OIL OF INDIANA, by DAVID WAGONER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the darkness east of chicago, the sky burns over the plumbers' nightmares
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


A VERDICT, by F. G.    Poem Text                    
First Line: Angelo, benjamin, michael and paul
Last Line: Nobody minded what icabod said; he was dead.
Subject(s): Death; Labor & Laborers; Dead, The; Work; Workers


A WESTERN WASTE, by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Old rails like twin steel ribbons stretch away
Last Line: Fair as a farm by some iowan stream.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


A WORKER'S PRAYER, by FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
Last Line: Thy rest, thy joy, thy glory share.
Variant Title(s): A Teacher's Prayer
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Prayer; Work; Workers


A' - 9, by LOUIS ZUKOFSKY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: An impulse to action sings of a semblance
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Poetry & Poets; Work; Workers


ADDRESS TO COL. D. C. R. CARRICK-BUCHANAN, by JANET HAMILTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hail! Noble mind, that formed the liberal plan
Last Line: Heaven's richest, choicest blessings ever share!
Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson
Subject(s): Generosity; Labor & Laborers; Marriage; Parks; Work; Workers; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


ADMONITION, by ALICE COYN TORBERT    Poem Text                    
First Line: Round each day's task before the set of sun
Last Line: And we must wonder why you wait.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Stars; Sun; Work; Workers


ADVERTISEMENT, by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We want a man of forty for the job
Last Line: We want such a man for the job.
Subject(s): Advertising; Labor & Laborers; Memory; Water; Work; Workers


AFTER DINNER AND AFTER OUR FEW TRAVELING CHICKENS, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: That my spit turned to ice when it hit the ground
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


AFTER WORKING SIXTY HOURS AGAIN FOR WHAT REASON, by HICOK. BOB    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The best job I had was moving a stone
Last Line: On an empty table
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


AIR, by JOHN O'KEEFE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A flaxen-headed cow-boy, as simple as may be
Last Line: You'll forget the little plough-boy that whistled o'er the lea.
Alternate Author Name(s): O'keefe, John
Subject(s): Aging; Children; Labor & Laborers; Trade; Childhood; Work; Workers


ALLMAN'S BAR, by TED KENEALLY    Poem Text                    
First Line: Come and have a drink at allman's,' said a hard-faced lad from yass
Last Line: "but tonight I shore a thousand while you lads were at the bar."
Subject(s): Bars & Bartenders; Labor & Laborers; Sheep; Pubs; Taverns; Saloons; Work; Workers


AN ODE TO THE FRAMERS OF THE FRAME BILL, by GEORGE GORDON BYRON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh well done lord e - n! And better done r - r!
Last Line: Who, when asked for a remedy, sent them a rope.
Alternate Author Name(s): Byron, Lord; Byron, 6th Baron
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Politics & Government; Work; Workers


APPLE-PARING NIGHT IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The biggest basket 'round our place
Last Line: That weekly apple-paring night.
Subject(s): Apples; Farm Life; Food & Eating; Fruit; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


APPLICATION FOR A GRANT, by ANTHONY HECHT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Noble executors of the munificent testament
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


APPLYING FOR A LOAN WITH THE HELP OF THE DICTIONARY OF OCCUP. TITLES, by DAVID WAGONER            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In my other lives, I've been a sheepskin pickler
Subject(s): Borrowers & Lenders; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


APRIL IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The ver purpureum horace loved
Last Line: Up here at jim mcnally's.
Subject(s): Cattle; Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Peace; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


ARISTOCRATS OF LABOR, by W. STEWART (19TH CENTURY)    Poem Text                    
First Line: They claim no guard of heraldry
Last Line: Their peerage is from god!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


AS MY UNCLE UST TO SAY, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I've thought a power on men and
Last Line: As my uncle ust to say.
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Uncles; Work; Workers


AT THE TRAIN TRACKS, by LEN ROBERTS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Another springtime, another dollar. I wonder
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


ATLAS, by LUCILLE CLIFTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am used to the heft of it
Last Line: To carry everything.
Subject(s): African Americans - History; Forests; Labor & Laborers; Strength; Black Heritage; Woods; Work; Workers


AUBADE, by PHILIP LARKIN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I work all day, and get half-drunk at night
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


AUTUMN (1), by JOHN CLARE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Summer is gone and all the merry noise
Last Line: Dreams autumn's melancholy life away.
Subject(s): Autumn; Labor & Laborers; Seasons; Fall; Work; Workers


AUTUMN BEGINS IN MARTINS FERRY, OHIO, by JAMES WRIGHT    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: In the shreve high football stadium
Alternate Author Name(s): Wright, James A.
Subject(s): Autumn; Education; Football; Industry; Labor & Laborers; High Schools; Fall; Work; Workers


AUWE NA POOLA!, by EMMA LYONS DOYLE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Rushes lie on the alanui
Last Line: Pololei -- right
Subject(s): Hawaii; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


AVE MARIA, by FRANK O'HARA (1926-1966)    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mothers of america
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Mothers; Motion Pictures; Work; Workers; Movies; Cinema


BABY RANDOM, by BELLE WARING    Poem Text                    
First Line: Baby random tries a nosedive, kamikaze
Subject(s): Aids (disease); Labor & Laborers; Nurses; Sickness; Work; Workers; Illness


BACK FROM KINLOCHLEVEN, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The waterworks are finished and the boys have / jacked the shovel
Last Line: But at any rate you'll know them by their curses when in town.
Subject(s): Bars & Bartenders; Death; Desolation; Drinks & Drinking; Labor & Laborers; Quarrels; Pubs; Taverns; Saloons; Dead, The; Wine; Work; Workers; Arguments; Disagreements


BACK FROM VACATION, by JOHN UPDIKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Back from vacation,' the barber announces
Last Line: The evidence says, though their hearts cry, 'not so!'
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Vacation; Work; Workers


BALLAD OF SIMPLE SIMON, by JOSEPH CORSON MILLER    Poem Text                    
First Line: I have watered the stock and I've shoveled the dung
Last Line: Lean down, cheery moon, lean down!
Alternate Author Name(s): Miller, J. Corson
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


BALLAD OF THE UNSUCCESSFUL, by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We are the toilers from whom god barred
Last Line: "god, give us another chance!"
Variant Title(s): The Song Of The Unsuccessful
Subject(s): Failure; God; Labor & Laborers; Life; Religion; Sin; Soul; Success; Work; Workers; Theology


BALLADE: 3, by THOMAS WYATT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The restful place, reviver of my smart
Last Line: Wherefore with tears, my bed, I thee forsake.
Alternate Author Name(s): Wyat, Thomas
Subject(s): Bodies; Grief; Hearts; Labor & Laborers; Pain; Tears; Sorrow; Sadness; Work; Workers; Suffering; Misery


BANKING UP VERMONT HOUSES, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A house without a suller wall
Last Line: They know you've finished banking up.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


BARE HANDS, by ALICE G. HARVEY    Poem Text                    
First Line: A lad with eager, anxious eyes
Last Line: To pay for a place to sleep.
Subject(s): Cities; Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Urban Life; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


BEACH PARTY GIVEN BY T. SHAUGHNESSY FOR THE SISTERS, by JOSEPHINE MILES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Seven nuns went wading in the sea
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Nuns; Work; Workers


BEAUTIFUL OHIO, by JAMES WRIGHT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Those old winnebago men
Last Line: I call it beauty
Alternate Author Name(s): Wright, James A.
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Ohio; Work; Workers


BEFORE AND AFTER, by IRA SADOFF    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I was too sick to leave the factory
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Sickness; Work; Workers; Illness


BESS AND HER SPINNING-WHEEL, by ROBERT BURNS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: O leeze me on my spinning-wheel
Last Line: Of bessy at her spinnin' wheel?
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Spinning; Work; Workers


BETWEEN US, by LAWRENCE JOSEPH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What was his name?
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


BEYOND HIS JURISDICTION, by HENRY (HARRY) HARBORD MORANT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It was a western manager, and a language-man was he
Last Line: "that narks yez,"" michael answered—""he's a cocky down in vic."
Alternate Author Name(s): Breaker, The; Lumpkin, Tony
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Language; Sheep; Work; Workers; Words; Vocabulary


BILL AND THE SUPE (A MINING CAMP BALLAD), by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now listen to me, while I tells to you
Last Line: You've heard as much as I heard, that's all!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Mines & Miners; Work; Workers


BIXBY'S LANDING, by ROBINSON JEFFERS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They burned lime on the hill and dropped it down
Last Line: Are even more precious than your first presence
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Quarries; Work; Workers


BLACK MEN SINGING, by ELMO RUSS    Poem Text                    
First Line: I have known nights made wonderful with song
Last Line: Is lost forever, song born out of fright!
Subject(s): African Americans - Song And Music; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


BLACK MONEY, by TESS GALLAGHER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: His lungs heaving all day in a sulphur mist
Last Line: Ther deep globe of his eye
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


BLACKLISTED, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Why shall I keep the old name?
Last Line: Name to go by?
Subject(s): Blacklists; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


BLANKET NED, by G. A. H.    Poem Text                    
First Line: We were shearing on the bidgee
Last Line: The lamb in the water-pot.
Subject(s): Fools; Labor & Laborers; Sheep; Idiots; Work; Workers


BLASTING ROCKS IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When cutting corn is late
Last Line: And squandered forty plunks.
Subject(s): Corn; Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


BREACHING THE ROCK, by MADELINE DEFREES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Pacific, the true misnomer: around the columbia
Last Line: Ready to settle for less.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mary Gilbert, Sister; De Frees, Madeline
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Pacific Ocean; Storms; Work; Workers


BREAD AND WINE, by ELIZABETH MORROW    Poem Text                    
First Line: All day work in the shops
Last Line: And this is wine.
Alternate Author Name(s): Cutter, Elizabeth Reeve
Subject(s): Drinks & Drinking; Labor & Laborers; Wine; Work; Workers


BREASTING THE ROGUE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: We reach a town of barefoot kids. No one
Last Line: Life rushes swiftly in one-bar towns
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


BROKEN RHYTHMS; IN A MEXICAN LABOR CAMP, by AMANDA MATHEWS CHASE    Poem Text                    
First Line: La golondrina
Last Line: New music?
Subject(s): Chicanos; Migrant Labor; Music & Musicians; Mexican Americans; Migratory Workers; Agricultural Laborers


BURNED, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I have to go back into the forge room
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Factories; Jews; World War Ii; Farewell; Fathers; Grief; Conduct Of Life; Work; Workers; Judaism; Second World War; Parting; Sorrow; Sadness


BURYING GROUND BY THE TIES, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Ayee! Ai! This is heavy earth on our shoulders:
Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald
Subject(s): Railroads; Labor & Laborers; Railways; Trains; Work; Workers


CALLING THE DOVES, SELS, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: At noon time, %on a lunch break from driving the tractor
Last Line: And perch itself on a nearby tree
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Fathers; Mexican American Families


CANNERY TOWN IN AUGUST, by LORNA DEE CERVANTES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: All night it humps the air
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


CAT-GODS' CHANNEL, by ANSELM HOLLO    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We elegant erasers of mice
Last Line: And so, with ancient yelps, we torch your maps
Subject(s): Buildings & Builders; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


CATALINA EDDIES, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Dusk to dawn, sleek skunks enjoy
Last Line: The annual burning pulse
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


CHILD OF THE ROMANS, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The dago shovelman sits by the railroad track
Last Line: Standing slender on the tables in the dining cars.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


CHILDREN OF THE WORKING CLASS, by JOHN WIENERS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Gaunt, ugly deformed
Subject(s): Children; Labor & Laborers; Psychiatric Hospitals; Childhood; Work; Workers; Mad Houses; Insane Asylums


CLEON AND I, by CHARLES MACKAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Cleon hath a million acres, ne'er a one have I
Last Line: State for state with all attendants, who would change? Not I.
Subject(s): Contentment; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


CLIFF DWELLER LYRICS: A LITTLE NAP IN THE MORNING, by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Henry has gone to his work
Last Line: Aw, what's the use of a nap!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


CLOG OF HER BODY, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Breathe in, blow out, legs in stirrups, bottom up
Last Line: Before you spur him in his sides
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


COAL, by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A valley, narrow as the pit
Last Line: Coal.
Subject(s): Coal Mines & Miners; Labor & Laborers; London; Work; Workers


COMING CLOSE, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Take this quiet woman, she has been
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Factories; Women; Work; Workers


COMING HOME, DETROIT, 1968, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A winter tuesday, the city pouring fire,
Subject(s): Cities; Detroit, Michigan; Homecoming; Industry; Labor & Laborers; Urban Life; Work; Workers


COMMUNION, by CLARA FOX    Poem Text                    
First Line: A man saw a soft brown, newly-cut, wheat field
Last Line: He felt the strength of god rise up in him.
Subject(s): Faith; Fields; God; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Wheat; Belief; Creed; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers


COMPONENT, by F. JOHN HERBERT    Poem Source                    
First Line: Designing their own chains working on a component
Last Line: So the people will feel that tandem will make ourselves free%and we will find a new basis of ethics
Subject(s): Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Labor And Laborers; Labor Unions


CONCERNING HOES, by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL    Poem Text                    
First Line: You have heard of that over-worked man with the hoe
Last Line: Nor ripens life's harvest with penitent tears.
Subject(s): Fields; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers


CONDITION OF THE WORKING CLASSES: 1960, by ROBERT BLY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There are bricks trapped in thousands of pale homes
Last Line: And the curch-doors change into the faces of children standing beside the new trees
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


CONDITION OF THE WORKING CLASSES: 1970, by ROBERT BLY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You united states, frightened by dreams of guatemala
Last Line: And drive their cars at a hundred miles an hour into trees
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


CONTENTMENT, OR, THE HAPPY WORKMAN'S SONG, by JOHN BYROM    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am a poor workman as rich as a jew
Last Line: Which nobody &c.
Subject(s): Contentment; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


COOLIE IN THE RICE FIELDS, by GLADYS GANE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Rain falls on the rice fields
Last Line: In snow-white heaps
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Rain; Rice; Work; Workers


CORN-LAW HYMN, by EBENEZER ELLIOTT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lord, call thy pallid angel
Last Line: A sea, a sea of men!
Alternate Author Name(s): Corn-law Rhymer; Elliot, Ebenezer
Subject(s): Corn Laws (great Britain); Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


COTTON ROWS, COTTON BLANKETS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Sprawled on the back of a flatbed truck
Last Line: Brought to foal in the outlines of summer
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


CREEK THAT BEARS THE SALMON, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Once upon a time
Last Line: It keeps perfect time
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


DAILY BREAD: PREFACE, by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All life moving to one measure
Last Line: "love, are there not crumbs to treasure?"
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DAY JOB AND NIGHT JOB, by ANDREW HUDGINS    Poem Text                 Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: After my night job, I sat in class
Last Line: Lt looked the same. Like work
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DAY LABORERS, by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They straggle down the street; the morning light
Last Line: And leaveth not the poor uncomforted.
Subject(s): Dreams; Hearts; Labor & Laborers; Tears; Nightmares; Work; Workers


DAY'S END, by ELKANAH EAST TAYLOR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The task is over for beast and men
Last Line: And finds its god . . . And love . . . And wings.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DEAR LITTLE LADY WITH SNOW WHITE HAIR, by PAULINE KUNDERD MANLY    Poem Text                    
Last Line: I hope to see you again over there.
Subject(s): Death; Labor & Laborers; Retirement; Seamstresses; Dead, The; Work; Workers


DEATH AT WORK, by JAMES GALVIN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A chevy engine hangs by a chain
Last Line: With everyone afraid and trying not to be
Subject(s): Death; Labor & Laborers; Dead, The; Work; Workers


DEDICATION, by FRANCIS REGINALD SCOTT    Poem Text                    
First Line: From those condemned to labour
Last Line: Nor any peace for spending.
Alternate Author Name(s): Scott, F. R.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Money; Social Classes; Social Protest; Work; Workers; Caste


DEFINITION, by EDWIN ROLFE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Knowing this man, who calls himself comrade
Alternate Author Name(s): Fishman, Solomon
Subject(s): Brotherhood; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DEGREES OF GRAY IN PHILIPSBURG, by RICHARD HUGO    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: You might come here sunday on a whim
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Montana; Work; Workers


DELAY, by CHARLOTTE FISKE BATES    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I do affirm that thou hast saved the race
Last Line: Averted graciously by kind delay!
Alternate Author Name(s): Roge, Mme.
Subject(s): Deliberation; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DETROIT GREASE SHOP POEM, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Four bright steel crosses
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DIGGING POTATERS IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Of course, you'll pick the dustiest day
Last Line: And dream of saratoga chips.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Fields; Labor & Laborers; Potatoes; Trade; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers


DIGNITY OF LABOR, by LEVI BISHOP    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Genius of toil! Our verse indite / and blaze along each line!
Last Line: To feed, and warm, and cheer, and bless the world.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Life; Muses; Nature; Work; Workers


DOMESTICS, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We've had about a thousand maids, who
Last Line: For clarence, william, stephen, fred, adolphus, james and harry.
Subject(s): Household Employees; Labor & Laborers; Marriage; Servants; Domestics; Maids; Work; Workers; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


DOWN THE RIVER, by BARCROFT HENRY BOAKE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hark, the sound of it drawing nearer
Last Line: Down the river that bears him, dead.
Subject(s): Death; Labor & Laborers; Sheep; Travel; Dead, The; Work; Workers; Journeys; Trips


DREAMER'S MEADOW, by FANIA KRUGER    Poem Text                    
First Line: He toils and dreams in every weather
Last Line: When the dream and the crop have grown together?
Subject(s): Dreams; Labor & Laborers; Nightmares; Work; Workers


DROPPING THE EUPHEMISM, by BOB HICOK    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: He has five children, I'm papa
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DRUM, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the early morning before the shop
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Factories; Work; Workers


DULCIMER MAKER, by CAROLYN FORCHE            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Calf-deep in spruce dust
Last Line: It will not be as far away, / as unfamiliar.
Alternate Author Name(s): Sidlosky, Carolyn
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DUST TO DUST, by DAVID BAKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Footfalls on the brickwork road many fathers laid
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


DYING, by EMILY DICKINSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I heard a fly buzz when I died
Last Line: I could not see to see.
Subject(s): Death; Flies; Labor & Laborers; Mourning; Pain; Dead, The; Work; Workers; Bereavement; Suffering; Misery


ECLOGUE: THE 'LOTMENTS, by WILLIAM BARNES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Zoo you be in your groun' then, I do zee
Last Line: If I could get a little patch o' ground.
Subject(s): Duty; Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Property; Social Protest; Spring; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Possessions


ECLOGUE: THE TIMES, by WILLIAM BARNES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Well, tom, how be'st? Zoo thou'st a-got thy neame
Last Line: You'll goo vor wool, an' then come hwome a-sheär'd.
Subject(s): Birds; Crows; Economics; Fables; Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Pigs; Politics & Government; Social Protest; Wages; Allegories; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Boars; Hogs; Salaries


ECLOGUE: TWO FARMS IN WOONE, by WILLIAM BARNES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You'll lose your measter soon, then, I do vind
Last Line: Why then we sartainly must starve. Good night!
Subject(s): Farm Life; Hunger; Labor & Laborers; Poverty; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


EL CONAL: MY GRANDFATHER'S GRIDDLE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: He'd stand outside %watch his garden for hours
Last Line: It was good. There was nothing more to say
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


EL MOVIMIENTO, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Hey, ese, you heard about that righteous
Last Line: About el movimiento, something about cockroaches
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


EL PORVENIR, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: He paints on the front of his store
Last Line: Of women straight from the fields
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


ELDORADO, by EDGAR ALLAN POE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: Gaily bedight / a gallant knight
Last Line: If you seek for eldorado!'
Subject(s): Heaven; Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Paradise; Work; Workers


ELEGY FOR JANE, by THEODORE ROETHKE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: I remember the neckcurls, limp and damp as tendrils
Subject(s): Accidents; Death; Fathers & Daughters; Labor & Laborers; Youth; Dead, The; Work; Workers


EMILIANO ZAPATA EYES, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Laura's so goofy over him
Last Line: In a hive of drones
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


EPILOGUE TO FLEET STREET ECLOGUES, by JOHN DAVIDSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Votary: what gloomy outland region have I won?
Last Line: A tabernacle even with these ghastly bones.
Subject(s): Ambition; Art & Artists; Earth; Humanity; Labor & Laborers; Prostitution; World; Work; Workers; Harlots; Whores; Brothels


EPISODES OF HAYING TIME, by HOLGER CHRISTENSEN    Poem Text                    
First Line: Under clear blue skies in the month of june
Last Line: But I pray that I might be more like dad!
Subject(s): Fields; Labor & Laborers; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers


EPITAPH, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I never cared for life: life cared for me
Last Line: "nor sought in me much more than thou couldst find."
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Life; Work; Workers


EPITAPH FOR A SOLDIER, by DAVID IGNATOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Enderle, who died for his country
Last Line: Stink in winter.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


EPITAPH ON AN ARMY OF MERCENARIES, by ALFRED EDWARD HOUSMAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: These, in the day when heaven was falling
Last Line: And saved the sum of things for pay.
Alternate Author Name(s): Housman, A. E.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; World War I; Work; Workers; First World War


EPITAPHS OF THE WAR, 1914-18: R.A.F. (AGED EIGHTEEN), by RUDYARD KIPLING    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Laughing through clouds, his milk-teeth still unshed
Subject(s): Air Warfare; Labor & Laborers; Teenagers; World War I; Work; Workers; First World War


EVENING (1), by EMILY DICKINSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She sweeps with many-coloured brooms
Last Line: And then I come away.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


EVOCATION, by LIONEL STEVENSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: Crouching beneath the rain
Last Line: Flings dancing sparks of fire.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Work; Workers


FABLES: 2ND SER. 15. THE COCK-MAID, THE TURNSPIT, AND THE OX, by JOHN GAY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Consider man in ev'ry sphere
Last Line: With chearful heart he mounts the wheel.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FACTORIES, by EDWARD HIRSCH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Everywhere in new york city there are factories
Last Line: Pumping blood through the stillness of our arteries
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; New York City; Work; Workers


FAIR PLAY, by M. L. CLAWSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: A monument for millionaires
Last Line: To the men who died with their jobs.
Subject(s): Disasters; Labor & Laborers; Ships & Shipping; Shipwrecks; Titanic (ship); Work; Workers


FARM TABLEAU, by BETSY WINTER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Upon a farm, with soil of rust-red clay
Last Line: Then turns and plods, with patient steps, toward home.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Houses; Labor & Laborers; Women; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


FARMWORKERS' DAUGHTER, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Khaki, everywhere khaki. %not us, boy
Last Line: We'll be so outta sight
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


FEAR AND FAME, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Half an hour to dress, wide rubber hip boots,
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FEEDING THE LIONS, by NORMAN JORDAN    Poem Source                    
First Line: They come into %our neighborhood
Last Line: And get back %before dark
Subject(s): Social Protest; Social Workers; Welfare


FENCES, by PAT MORA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Mouths full of laughter
Subject(s): Seashore; Labor & Laborers; Social Classes; Beach; Coast; Shore; Work; Workers; Caste


FIELD TRIP TO THE ROLLING MILL, 1950, by PATRICIA DOBLER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sister monica has her hands full
Subject(s): Education; Industry; Labor & Laborers; Schools; Work; Workers; Students


FIESTA IN THE MOUNTAINS WAS A RARE TREAT, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: With smiles and music
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


FINDING A WAY, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Where did I leave the recording
Last Line: For walking the wrong %side of town
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


FIRST SONG, by GALWAY KINNELL    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: Then it was dusk in illinois, the small boy
Last Line: His heart to the darkness and into the sadness of joy.
Subject(s): Children; Illinois; Labor & Laborers; Childhood; Work; Workers


FIRST WORK, AND THEN WAGES, by ROBERT HERRICK    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Prepost'rous is that order, when we run
Last Line: To ask our wages, e're our work be done.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FIST, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Iron growing in the dark
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FIVE DOLLARS A WEEK, by HERBERT KAUFMAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Thus is it down on beelzebub's books
Last Line: "when a girl hasn't money enough for her board."
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Poverty; Work; Workers


FOG, by LAWRENCE JOSEPH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All day the air was fog
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FOR SERVICE, by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, it isn't for the money and it isn't for the fame
Last Line: You had better never join the engineers!
Subject(s): Crusades; Engineering & Engineers; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF MY DEATH, by WILLIAM STANLEY MERWIN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Every year without knowing it I have passed the day
Alternate Author Name(s): Merwin, W. S.
Subject(s): Death; Labor & Laborers; Dead, The; Work; Workers


FOR THE RECORD; IN MEMORY OF ELEANOR BUMPURS, by AUDRE LORDE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Call out the colored girls
Alternate Author Name(s): Adisa-warrior, Gamba
Subject(s): African Americans - Women; Alienation (social Psychology); Bumpurs, Eleanor; Exiles; Labor & Laborers; Violence; Estrangement; Outcasts; Work; Workers


FORTUNO CARRACCIOLI, by ROBERT MCALMON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The fat woman in the flat across the street
Subject(s): Love - Absence Of; Social Classes; Labor & Laborers; Caste; Work; Workers


FOUNDRY WORKERS, by MAXWELL BODENHEIM    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Brown faces twisted black
Subject(s): Foundry Workers


FRAU BAUMAN, FRAU SCHMIDT, AND FRAU SCHWARTZE, by THEODORE ROETHKE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Gone the three ancient ladies
Subject(s): Greenhouses; Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Women; Work; Workers


FRESCOES FOR MR. ROCKEFELLER'S CITY: 3. BURYING GROUND, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Ayee! Ai! This is heavy earth on our shoulders
Last Line: And the trains going over us here in the hollows
Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald
Variant Title(s): Burying Ground By The Ties
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


FRESCOES FOR MR. ROCKEFELLER'S CITY: BURY GROUND BY THE TIES, by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Ayee! Ai! This is heavy earth on our shoulders:
Alternate Author Name(s): Fleming, Archibald
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Social Classes; Work; Workers; Caste


FRIDAY LUNCHBREAK, by GREGORY ORR    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: At noon, still wearing their white
Last Line: And wrestle, angels of meat.
Subject(s): Beef; Calves; Factories; Food & Eating; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FROM AMERICA: A POEM IN PROCESS, by JUNE JORDAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I wish I was a horse
Last Line: To change anything at all
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FROM LUMAGHI MINE, by ROBERT WRIGLEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear father, / eleven days without sunlight. We go in
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FROM REVERDURE, by WENDELL BERRY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: One thing work gives
Last Line: To come into the presence of this time
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


FROM THE SOIL (TWO MONOLOGUES), by FORD MADOX FORD    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Aham a mighty simple man and only
Last Line: All over hill and dale. ...
Alternate Author Name(s): Hueffer, Ford Hermann; Hueffer, Ford Madox
Subject(s): Farm Life; God; Labor & Laborers; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


FUTURE DEEDS, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sweet friend of mine, it doesn't pay to tell
Last Line: Moved—the golden era is today; don't let it vanish unimproved.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


GARMENT MAKERS, by LIDA MARIE ERWIN    Poem Text                    
First Line: Would mortal eyes had less of skill to see
Last Line: Appreciating all the care we took.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Sonnet (as Literary Form); Work; Workers


GET THE GASWORKS, by DAVID IGNATOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Get the gasworks into a poem
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


GET UP, by JOSEPH SKIPSEY    Poem Text                 Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: Get up!' the caller calls, 'get up'
Last Line: I may not ope again.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


GIRLFRIENDS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Rosie/ I %got pregnant
Last Line: Rosie/I thought %I/she %was lucky
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


GLEANINGS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Twilight carves a dimple in the valley
Last Line: Landscapes that yield their portion of heart
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


GLORY TO THEM, by ANDERSON M. SCRUGGS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Glory to them, the toilers of the earth
Last Line: Who gave us beauty for a crust of bread.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


GOD AND THE STRONG ONES, by MARGARET WIDDEMER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We have made them fools and weak!' said the strong ones
Last Line: "reap what ye have sown!"" saith god."
Alternate Author Name(s): Schauffler, Mrs. Robert H.
Subject(s): Freedom; God; Labor & Laborers; Liberty; Work; Workers


GOD'S GRANDEUR, by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: The world is charged with the grandeur of god
Last Line: World broods with warm breast and with ah! Bright wings.
Subject(s): Christianity; Earth; Environment; Faith; God; Labor & Laborers; Men; Nature; Redemption; Religion; War; World; Environmental Protection; Ecology; Conservation; Belief; Creed; Work; Workers; Theology


GOING CROSSLOTS IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The man who says with solemn pride
Last Line: "that ""wheel"" themselves to death."
Subject(s): Country Life; Farm Life; Migrant Labor; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Migratory Workers; Agricultural Laborers


GOOD MORNING AMERICA: 16, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The silent litany of the workmen go on -
Subject(s): United States; Labor & Laborers; America; Work; Workers


GREASING BOOTS IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: To keep a feller's boots in trim
Last Line: When settled weather struck your boots.
Subject(s): Animals; Cows; Farm Life; Fields; Labor & Laborers; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers


GREEN CORN SEASON, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: You promised you would never keep secrets from me
Last Line: To begin in the green corn season
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


GROTESQUE, by RUTH GUTHRIE HARDING    Poem Text                    
First Line: With the first light on the skyline came the rapping of the sickles
Last Line: "and the fields with harvest teeming have forgot them all too soon!"
Alternate Author Name(s): Burton, Richard, Mrs.
Subject(s): Fields; Injustice; Labor & Laborers; Memory; Slavery; United States - Race Relations; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers; Serfs


HACK AND HEW, by BLISS CARMAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hack and hew were the sons of god
Last Line: And the tireless hand of hew.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


HASTE NOT! REST NOT!, by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Without haste! Without rest!
Last Line: God shall crown thy work at last.
Subject(s): Deliberation; Labor & Laborers; Rest; Work; Workers


HAZARDOUS OCCUPATIONS, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Jugglers keep six bottles in the air
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


HE WAS, by RICHARD WILBUR    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A brown old man with a green thumb
Last Line: Rose in the sparrow air
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


HE WHO IS LIKE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: He toasts me with cinzano on the rocks
Last Line: Of brown. I have never felt a kinder glance
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


HEARINGS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: We weren't unaware, stuck here
Last Line: To bring the sons home safe
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


HEARTLANDS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: My son hitched a trailer to his rambler
Last Line: A passion for wild turkey in the brush
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


HOLIDAY BUNTING, by DAVID BAKER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: He has handled the new piece like a stone
Last Line: And all gone by morning, banner, noise, bird
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Wood; Work; Workers


HONEY, by JAMES WRIGHT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My father died at the age of eighty. One of the last things he
Alternate Author Name(s): Wright, James A.
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


HONORS: 2. THE ANSWER, by JEAN INGELOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: As one who, journeying, checks the rein in haste
Last Line: My work, my work -- farewell!
Subject(s): Death; Flutes; God; Honor; Labor & Laborers; Life; Music & Musicians; Dead, The; Work; Workers


HOW COME HE GOT CANNED AT THE RIBBON FACTORY, by ALLEN GINSBERG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: There was this character come in
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


HUDSON RIVER ANTHOLOGY, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I ran a store
Last Line: He's serving thirty years.
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Business; Labor & Laborers; Money; Retail Trade; Wages; Businessmen; Businesswomen; Work; Workers; Stores; Shops; Shopkeepers; Salaries


HUELGA, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Fresno slumps late summer
Last Line: As we chant %huelga! Huelga! Huelga!
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


HUSWIFERY, by EDWARD TAYLOR    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Make me, o lord, thy spinning wheele compleate
Last Line: That I am cloathd in holy robes for glory.
Variant Title(s): Housewifery
Subject(s): Housekeeping; Labor & Laborers; Prayer; Puritans In Literature; Religion; Sewing; Work; Workers; Theology


HYMNS FOR CHILDREN: 5, by ANNIE MATHESON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Our lord became a servant
Last Line: His 'peace be unto you.'
Subject(s): Harvest; Jesus Christ = Suffering & Sacrifice; Labor & Laborers; Love; Peace; Work; Workers


I AM THE PEOPLE, THE MOB, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I am the people - the mob - the crowd - the mass
Last Line: The mob -- the crowd -- the mass -- will arrive then.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


I DEFINE THE DARKNESS CORRECT: THE BRIGHTER FLESH, by ELENI SIKELIANOS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Where is the center of human
Last Line: Between dark between cities
Subject(s): Bodies; Labor & Laborers; Mankind; Shadows; Work; Workers; Human Race


I DON'T GO SHEARING NOW, by W. A. WOODS    Poem Text                    
First Line: So you're off to riverina, where the sun is shining clear
Last Line: The rheumatism takes me, so I don't go shearing now.
Alternate Author Name(s): Drayman, John
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Marriage; Memory; Sheep; Work; Workers; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


I HAD NO MORE TO SAY, by LAWRENCE JOSEPH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The last time I saw her
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


I HEAR AMERICA SINGING, by WALT WHITMAN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: I hear america singing, the varied carols I hear
Last Line: Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
Subject(s): Americans; Labor & Laborers; Patriotism; Singing & Singers; United States; Work; Workers; Songs; America


I LOVED THE NIGHT, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: I would cup my hands to my mouth %and join them
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


I SEE A TRUCK, by DAVID IGNATOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I see a truck mowing down a parade
Last Line: Working for a living
Subject(s): Cities; Labor & Laborers; Urban Life; Work; Workers


I WAS BORN IN THE TINY TOWN OF FOWLER, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: There can be kindness
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


ICE HANDLER, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I know an ice handler who wears a flannel shirt with
Last Line: When he came around to the saloon to tell the boys about it.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


ICHABOD: A MONODY, by ALFRED DENNIS GODLEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now is the time when everything is glad
Last Line: -- it is not far from here to jericho.
Alternate Author Name(s): Godley, A. D.
Subject(s): Class Struggle; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


IDEOGRAPHS, by SHARON OLDS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The small scaffolds, boards in the form of
Subject(s): China; Photography & Photographers; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


IDLENESS, by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I saw old idleness, fat, with great cheeks
Last Line: A foxy ovid bound in dappled calf.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ramal, Walter; De La Mare, Walter
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


IF I TRUST MYSELF, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: This time I swore I wouldn't be
Last Line: A sweet fragrant planting impossible to remove
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


IMPORTANT QUERIES, by JANET HAMILTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Why this hurrying to and fro
Last Line: Adorn and bless the nation.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson
Subject(s): Children; Discipline; Labor & Laborers; Mothers; Parents; Childhood; Work; Workers; Parenthood


IMPOTENT, by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: With willing hands and a loving heart
Last Line: "the welcome plaudit, ""well done, well done!"
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Sickness; Work; Workers; Illness


IN CALIFORNIA: MORNING, EVENING, LATE JANUARY, by DENISE LEVERTOV    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Pale, then enkindled
Subject(s): California; Labor & Laborers; Nature; Work; Workers


IN THE BINDERY, by ELAINE TERRANOVA    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The shift begins. Metal clanks
Last Line: A change of heart but then goes on.
Subject(s): Factories; Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Work; Workers


IN THE MOUNTAIN VALLEYS AROUND LAKE WOLFER, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: And flapped their peppery feathers and ran after me
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


IN THE SWEAT OF THY FACE, by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What sound was that? A pheasant's whir
Last Line: With toil by leaf-girt nazareth of yore!
Alternate Author Name(s): Miller, Joaquin
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


IN THE TENTH YEAR OF WAR, by LAWRENCE JOSEPH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: I bend / over the machine. / heat
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


IN THE VANGUARD, by ALEXANDER ANDERSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Into all the onward current and this iron time that feels
Last Line: Down to ourselves, my brothers, working with the spade and pick!
Alternate Author Name(s): Surfaceman
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


INDISPENSABLE, by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The world is crowded with clever chaps
Last Line: At the time that he says he'll do it!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Procrastination; Work; Workers


INTROSPECTIVE REFLECTION, by OGDEN NASH    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I would live all my life in nonchalance and insouciance
Variant Title(s): Random Observations: Introspective
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


IS IT YOU?, by LAWRENCE JOSEPH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Where the giant magnet lifts
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


IT'S NOT ABOUT RACE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: It is thick summer in new york
Last Line: Nothing to anchor him to the newly wet lawn
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


IT'S TIME TO SETTLE DOWN. IT'S TIME JUANITO GOES TO SCHOOL, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: The way my father called the doves
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


JACK, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Jack was a swarthy, swaggering son-of-a-gun
Last Line: Swarthy, swaggering son-of-a-gun.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


JACOB TODD, by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Here be the ashes of jacob todd
Last Line: He bedded for ye judgement day.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ramal, Walter; De La Mare, Walter
Variant Title(s): Epitaph On A Sexton
Subject(s): Epitaphs; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


JIM DALLEY, by ALEXANDER ANDERSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: So you knew dalley that used to drive
Last Line: Dalley lay over the levers dead.
Alternate Author Name(s): Surfaceman
Subject(s): Accidents; Death; Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Dead, The; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


JOE HILL, by ALFRED HAYES    Poem Source                    
First Line: I dreamed in saw joe hill last night
Last Line: I never died,' says he
Subject(s): Hill, Joe (1879-1915); Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Labor Unions; Social Protest


JOE; AN ETCHING, by EMILY PAULINE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A meadow brown; across the yonder edge
Last Line: The axe of the pioneer, the settler's plough.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tekahionwake
Subject(s): Children; Homesteaders; Labor & Laborers; Pioneers; Childhood; Work; Workers


JOURNEYS, by AGNES MACCARTHY HICKEY    Poem Text                    
First Line: Not the speediest of coaches
Last Line: And they not know!
Subject(s): Dreams; Labor & Laborers; Sewing; Travel; Nightmares; Work; Workers; Journeys; Trips


JUNK, by RICHARD WILBUR    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: An axe angles from my neighbor's ashcan
Subject(s): Decay; Junk & Junkyards; Labor & Laborers; Rot; Decadence; Work; Workers


L'ENVOI-TO MY PICK AND SHOVEL, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When the last, long shift will be laboured, and the
Last Line: When the last long shift will be laboured and the lying time will be burst.
Subject(s): Death; Labor & Laborers; Shovels; Dead, The; Work; Workers


LA CURANDERA, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: She shuffles to the door on faded scuffs
Last Line: I can never go to heaven if the old man dies
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


LA LLORONA, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Cuca bellies down, her scarred arms from last year's fire
Last Line: Bubble of head inches below water
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


LA MADRUGADA, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The radio alarm clock sputters
Last Line: Of harvesting the fields
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


LABOR, by THEODOSIA (PICKERING) GARRISON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There is a potion of forgetfulness
Last Line: Saved the first man, perchance, from going mad.
Alternate Author Name(s): Faulks, Frederick J., Mrs.
Subject(s): Insanity; Labor & Laborers; Madness; Mental Illness; Work; Workers


LABOR, by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Heart of the people! Working men
Last Line: And an increase of good for man.
Alternate Author Name(s): Houghton, 1st Baron; Houghton, Lord
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LABOR, by RAY CLARKE ROSE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Come to me, comrade dear, physician, friend
Last Line: As rarer than the stone the ancients sought.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LABOR AND PRAYER, by JAMES RYDER RANDALL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Despite the wisdom of the past
Last Line: Link us with that electric chain!
Subject(s): God; Labor & Laborers; Prayer; Work; Workers


LABOR IS PRAYER, by DINAH MARIA MULOCK CRAIK    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Laborare est orare
Last Line: And the whole earth rings with prayers.
Alternate Author Name(s): Mulock, Dinah Maria
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Women; Work; Workers


LABOR IS WORSHIP, by FRANCES SARGENT OSGOOD    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Pause not to dream of the future before us
Last Line: Let thy great deeds be thy prayer to thy god!
Alternate Author Name(s): Vane, Violet
Variant Title(s): Labor;the Pleasure Of Labor;laborare Est Orare
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LABOR, THE PROPHET, by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL    Poem Text                    
First Line: I am grim labor, I who boldly stand
Last Line: Which kings and priests in terror will cast down
Subject(s): Angels; Labor & Laborers; Prophecy & Prophets; Religion; Work; Workers; Theology


LABORE CONFECTO, by NORMAN ROWLAND GALE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah god, how good and sweet it is
Last Line: On such a white, white breast!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Night; Rest; Work; Workers; Bedtime


LABORER, by PRIMUS ST. JOHN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I work for what I get
Last Line: To her children.
Subject(s): Black (color); Discontent; Labor & Laborers; Slavery; Dissatisfaction; Work; Workers; Serfs


LABOUR, by ROBERT HERRICK    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Labour we must, and labour hard
Last Line: I'th forum here, or vineyard.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LACHLAN JACK, by R. HOLT    Poem Text                    
First Line: Axemen? Gippslanders and tassies?
Last Line: That they kept him snug and dry!
Alternate Author Name(s): 6 X 8
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Lumber & Lumbering; Work; Workers; Woodsmen


LAS RUBIAS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Dear modern women's magazine the ads say you can be a
Last Line: Against a gold-lit world
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


LAST WILL, by JOE HILL    Poem Source                    
First Line: My will is easy to decide
Last Line: Good luck to all of you
Alternate Author Name(s): Hillstrom, Joesph; Hagglund, Joel
Subject(s): Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Labor Unions; Social Protest


LAURENCE BLOOMFIELD IN IRELAND: 10. THE FAIR, by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mud hovels fringe the 'fair-green' of this town
Last Line: With many an ancient patch and breezy rent.
Alternate Author Name(s): Pollex, D.; Walker, Patricius
Subject(s): Bargains; Festivals; Labor & Laborers; Southern Hemisphere; Towns; Fairs; Pageants; Work; Workers


LAZY, by JAMES WELDON JOHNSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Some men enjoy the constant strife
Last Line: I'll spend my life in living.
Subject(s): Idleness; Labor & Laborers; Laziness; Sloth; Indolence; Work; Workers


LE MEDECIN MALGRE LUI, by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh I suppose I should wash the walls of my office
Last Line: But a white thought!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LES MISERABLES DE LUXE, by ERNEST HYETT    Poem Text                    
First Line: Beneath a democratic flag
Last Line: Soft-pedal me your liberty.
Subject(s): Freedom; Labor & Laborers; Liberty; Work; Workers


LET NO CHARITABLE HOPE, by ELINOR WYLIE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Now let no charitable hope
Last Line: And none has quite escaped my smile.
Alternate Author Name(s): Benet, William Rose, Mrs.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Self; Women; Work; Workers


LETTER TO N.Y., by ELIZABETH BISHOP    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In your next letter I wish you'd say
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Youth; Work; Workers


LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sullen, grimy, labouring person,
Last Line: So do I.
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Envy; Upper Classes; Working Class; Envy; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LINES FROM A PLUTOCRATIC POETASTER TO A DITCH-DIGGER, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sullen, grimy, labouring person
Last Line: So do I.
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Envy; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LINES TO A WELDER, by ERIS GOFF    Poem Text                    
First Line: I saw a god at work with flame and metal
Last Line: A life more useful shapes beneath the flame.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LINES WRITTEN IN THE DOG-DAYS; HOW HOT IT IS!, by WILLIAM WOTY    Poem Text                    
First Line: The sun now darts his fervid rays
Last Line: How charming now, and cool it is!
Subject(s): Farm Life; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Oppression; Sun; Thirst; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


LOOKING AT QUILTS, by MARGE PIERCY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Who decided what is useful in its beauty
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LOOKING FOR TROUBLE, by ROQUE DALTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The night of my first cell meeting it was pouring rain
Last Line: Mother scolded me for coming home late
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Strikes; Wages; Work; Workers; Labor Disputes; Lockouts; Salaries


LOOKING ON, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I like to linger in the shade, close to the pail
Last Line: I am happy in the shade, with my tall jug of lemonade.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


LOVE AFFAIRS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: As if short skirts make a bad
Last Line: To see you again, and you tell me %she's pregnant
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


LOVE AND WORK, by RACHEL WETZSTEON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In an uncurtained room across the way
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Love; Work; Workers


MANHATTAN MELODY, by HAZEL NICHOLSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: Sleep in my arms; the night is black
Last Line: Work!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


MATERIALIST, by HORTENSE KING FLEXNER    Poem Text                    
First Line: If to the discard man's concealed machine
Last Line: Law-governed flesh and bone shall not endure?
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Materialism; Work; Workers


MATTER OF CONTROL, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Don't be afraid %at night
Last Line: Your shadow flung %against the land
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


MATTERHORN QUESTS, by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: As men essay the matterhorn
Last Line: Bids them to climb and do their best.
Subject(s): Alps; Labor & Laborers; Mountains; Pain; Soul; Work; Workers; Hills; Downs (great Britain); Suffering; Misery


MAXIMUS, LETTER 2, by CHARLES OLSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: . . . . . Tell you? Ha! Who
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Sea; Ships & Shipping; Work; Workers; Ocean


MEMORIZING THE CENTER OF TIME, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Drops of memory collect
Last Line: To the candy store
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


MEN WORKING, by SUSIE DAWSON JOHNSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: Slick and languid blacks in garments dimmed
Last Line: Sun-drenched in sweat this lazy summer morn.
Subject(s): African Americans; Labor & Laborers; Negroes; American Blacks; Work; Workers


MENDINGS, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You made healing as you wanted us to make bread and poems
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


MENTAL-HEALTH WORKERS, by JAMES TATE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Mostly we were able to ignore the hairy thing
Subject(s): Insanity; Labor & Laborers; Madness; Mental Illness; Work; Workers


MERCENARIES, by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They come from all over the planet
Last Line: —this army of men on the job!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Militarism; Work; Workers


METAPHORIC COCKROACHES, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Experts theorize cockroaches survive anything
Last Line: The rest of one's life. A treat. Sweet. Iron-rich. Sustaining
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


MIDDLE-AGE ENTHUSIASMS, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We passed where flag and flower
Last Line: "our thoughts will reach this nook no more."
Subject(s): Aging; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


MIGRANT, by ALICIA SUSKIN OSTRIKER            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Desire comes up in us
Last Line: To a show that has always been playing
Subject(s): Migrant Labor; Migratory Workers; Agricultural Laborers


MILKSNAKES AND CHOCOLATE LILIES, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The children squabbled last night, piercing squall
Last Line: Bulbs that smolder five dry years then bloom
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


MIND OF MAN, by FRANK PIERCE GALLAGHER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Feed our eyes, oh light, with sights about us
Last Line: God and she have earned a garland flock.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Mankind; Work; Workers; Human Race


MINERS SHAKING HANDS WITH A UNION MAN, by ROBERT WRIGLEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: These men are solemn and strong
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


MINING CAMP RESIDENTS, WEST VIRGINIA, 1935, by MAGGIE ANDERSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They had to seize something in the face of the camera
Variant Title(s): Walker Evans: Mining Camp Residents, West Virginia
Subject(s): Evans, Walker (1903-1975); Industry; Labor & Laborers; Mines & Miners; Work; Workers


MOLE CATCHER, by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: With coat like any mole's, as soft and black
Last Line: There's not a peal in england sounds so well.
Alternate Author Name(s): Blunden, Edmund
Subject(s): Animals; England; Labor & Laborers; Landscape; Moles; English; Work; Workers


MOON-RIDERS, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What have I saved out of a morning?
Subject(s): Morning; Jobs; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


MORNING SOLILOQUY OF ONE FARMER, by HELEN REED    Poem Text                    
First Line: Ho-hum / there goes the rooster
Last Line: Buy a cradle.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


MR. FOLEY'S CHRISTMAS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Since pick av them I'm sore denied
Last Line: A dishgraced workin'-man!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Christmas; Labor & Laborers; Nativity, The; Work; Workers


MUCKERS, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Twenty men stand watching the muckers
Last Line: "ten others, ""jesus, I wish I had the job."
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


MUTTERINGS OVER THE CRIB OF A DEAF CHILD, by JAMES WRIGHT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: How will he hear the bell at school
Alternate Author Name(s): Wright, James A.
Subject(s): Babies; Deafness; Labor & Laborers; Physical Disabilities; Infants; Work; Workers; Handicapped; Handicaps; Physically Challenged; Cripples


MY JACKET OLD, by HERMAN MELVILLE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Ere work, alack, came in with wail
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Clothing & Dress; Work; Workers


MY MOTHER WAS A HEALER, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Out of bed in their squeaky paper boots
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


MY MOTHER WOULD COOK BREAKFAST OUTSIDE, IN THE OPEN, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: The wavy clay of the land was my plate
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


MY OWN EPITAPH, by JOHN GAY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Life is a jest, and all things show it
Last Line: I thought so once; but now I know it.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Life; Work; Workers


NED VAUGHAN, by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A shepherd, ned vaughan
Last Line: And shepherd in sleep.
Alternate Author Name(s): Ramal, Walter; De La Mare, Walter
Variant Title(s): Epitaph On A Shepherd
Subject(s): Epitaphs; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


NEW YORK, by EDWIN DAVIES SCHOONMAKER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Sea - rimmed and teeming with millions poured out on
Last Line: Till the new day quenches the lamps and flares over tyre.
Subject(s): Cities; Immigrants; Labor & Laborers; Mysticism; New York City; Urban Life; Emigrant; Emigration; Immigration; Work; Workers; Manhattan; New York, New York; The Big Apple


NIGHT COMETH, by SIDNEY DYER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Work, for the night is coming
Last Line: When man's work is o'er.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


NIGHTMARE NUMBER THREE, by STEPHEN VINCENT BENET    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We had expected everything but revolt
Last Line: The madison avenue busses leading the charge
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


NO HIGH GROUND, by ELEANOR WILNER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I see a man get up
Alternate Author Name(s): Wilner, Eleanor Rand
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


NOON HOUR, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She sits in the dust at the walls
Last Line: Of great free ways beyond the walls.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Women; Work; Workers


NORTHWARD TO THE SHEDS, by WILLIAM HENRY OGILVIE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There's a whisper from the regions out beyond the barwon banks
Last Line: I can hear the shear-blades clicking, and I know the fight's begun!
Alternate Author Name(s): Ogilvie, Will Henry
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Sheep; Work; Workers


NOTHING AND NO ONE AND NOWHERE TO GO, by LAWRENCE JOSEPH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I've laughed before no one
Last Line: And nowhere to go
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


NOTHING FREE-COST, by ROBERT HERRICK    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nothing comes free-cost here; jove will not let
Last Line: His gifts go from him; if not bought with sweat.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


OCCUPANT: BLUE ROOF APARTMENTS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The mail addressed to occupant
Last Line: Addressed to us by name
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


ODE TO BIG TREND, by TERRANCE HAYES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Pretty soon the negroes were looking to get paid.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; African Americans; Work; Workers; Negroes; American Blacks


ODE TO SIR ANDREW AGNEW, BART., by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh andrew fairservice - but I beg pardon
Last Line: To make a sunday workhouse of the church.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Politics & Government; Sabbath; Work; Workers; Sunday


ODE TO WORK, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou, who when joys appear
Last Line: Give me my racquet!
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Calverley, Charles Stuart (1831-1884); Friendship; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


OLD CAT SOMBER MOON, by ANSELM HOLLO    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Running into feeling befuddles. A kiss, a moment, spiky
Last Line: Are.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Work; Workers


OLD FLORIST, by THEODORE ROETHKE            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: That hump of a man bunching chrysanthemums
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


OLD LADY NECESSITY, by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When homer was writing his epics and such
Last Line: "I don't wanta work but I gotta!"
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Poetry & Poets; Work; Workers


OLD MARRIED COUPLE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: He never told anyone he couldn't swim
Last Line: He did live, %we should have lived
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


OLD PEOPLE WORKING (GARDEN, CAR), by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Old people working. Making a gift of garden
Last Line: A way of greeting or sally to the crowd
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


OLNEY HYMNS: 16. THE SOWER, by WILLIAM COWPER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Ye sons of earth prepare the plough
Last Line: Provide a fruitful place!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


ON AGING, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When you see me sitting quietly
Subject(s): Aging; Labor & Laborers; Women; Work; Workers


ON BUILDING WITH STONE, by ROBINSON JEFFERS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: To be an ape in little of the mountain-making mother
Last Line: Beggar) were not bitter in the teeth?
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Writing & Writers; Work; Workers


ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE, by VIRGIL SUAREZ    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Cousin irene worked in the cold of a warehouse
Subject(s): Hands; Labor & Laborers; New Jersey; Work; Workers


ON THE DEATH OF JOHN CASSELL; THE TRUE FRIEND OF THE WORKING MAN, by JANET HAMILTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What mournful voices thrill upon my ears?
Last Line: The trophies of his power remain behind!
Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson
Subject(s): Cassell, John (1817-1865); Death; England; Labor & Laborers; Praise; Dead, The; English; Work; Workers


ON THE ENGINE BY NIGHT, by ALEXANDER ANDERSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: On the engine in the night-time, with the darkness all around
Last Line: I grew prouder of my labour and my little gift of song.
Alternate Author Name(s): Surfaceman
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Night; Railroads; Work; Workers; Bedtime; Railways; Trains


ON THE FIRST DAY SHE MADE BIRDS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: He asked me if I had a choice
Last Line: Both alike %endless possibilities
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


ON THE OXFORD CARRIER, by JOHN MILTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Here lieth one, who did most truly prove
Last Line: Only remains this superscription.
Variant Title(s): Another On The Same
Subject(s): Hobson, Thomas (1544-1630); Labor & Laborers; Plague; Work; Workers


ON THE RAILWAY BRIDGES (TO W.M.C.), by RHYS CARPENTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Girders of iron; bridges wrought of steel
Last Line: The onrush—passed—and all was night again.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Night; Railroads; Work; Workers; Bedtime; Railways; Trains


ON THE UNIVERSITY CARRIER, by JOHN MILTON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Here lies old hobson, death hath broke his girt
Last Line: Hobson has supt, and 's newly gon to bed.
Subject(s): Cambridge University; Hobson, Thomas (1544-1630); Labor & Laborers; Plague; Work; Workers


ONE, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When I was an only child I carried
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Despair; Work; Workers


ONE DAY MY FATHER DECIDED, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: From a box radio on the wall
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


ONE TIME WE VISITED FRIENDS IN FOWLER, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: Where I learned to sing
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


OOR LOCATION, by JANET HAMILTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A hunner funnels bleezin', reekin'
Last Line: Drink's the king in oor location.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson
Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Labor & Laborers; Sin; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; Work; Workers


OPERATION WETBACK, 1953, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The day begins like any other day
Last Line: That never brought him home
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


ORCHARD OF FIGS IN THE FALL, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Somewhere deep in the san joaquin valley
Last Line: A grave of limbs gone wrong
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


OTHER MARIAS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Once there were 50 marias
Last Line: Definitely not a virgin
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


OUR OLD VERMONT LUMBER WAGON, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A thing that often 'pears to me
Last Line: Our old blue lumber wagon.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Lumber & Lumbering; Vermont; Wagons; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Woodsmen


OUT A-NUTTEN, by WILLIAM BARNES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Last week, when we'd a-haul'd the crops
Last Line: Vrom copse a-nuttèn.
Subject(s): Autumn; Farm Life; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Nuts & Nutting; Seasons; Fall; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


PADDING IT, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hasing it out like niggers on a two and a / tanner sub
Last Line: The journey to ballachulish, for this is the song of it.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Slavery; Travel; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Serfs; Journeys; Trips


PARADISE LOST, by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When I sat at the wheel of the fire chief's car
Last Line: At the wheel of the fire chief's car.
Subject(s): Automobiles; Driving & Drivers; Firefighters; Labor & Laborers; Wheels; Cars; Work; Workers


PATHS, by JOSEPHINE MILES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Going out into the fields of learning
Last Line: The spider's silk hypotheses unfold / tenancious, tenable
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Youth; Work; Workers


PIONEERS OF INDUSTRY, by CLARENCE ALVA POWELL    Poem Text                    
First Line: Steve is dead. He is through with sweating now
Last Line: Unsung, for they were never conquerors!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Washington Monument; Work; Workers


PITCHING HAY IN VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There's opposites, go where you will
Last Line: Of pitching off and on.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


PLAYED OUT, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: As a bullock falls in the crooked ruts, he fell when / the day was over
Last Line: From no particular where.
Subject(s): Death; Hunger; Labor & Laborers; Mortality; Poverty; Dead, The; Work; Workers


PLOWERS, by CHARLOTTE LEAMING    Poem Text                    
First Line: High and low, high and low / over the fields
Last Line: This is what their life has been.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


PLOWMEN, by ROBERT FROST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A plow, I hear men say, to plow the snow
Last Line: At having cultivated rock.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


POEM FOR TOMORROW, by CLARK MILLS    Poem Text                    
First Line: Now is the time for labor
Last Line: And cold sleeping.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


POINT LACE, by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Kate, when you lace-work undertake
Last Line: But none in what you say.
Alternate Author Name(s): Egerton-warburton, R. E.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Lace; Silence; Talk; Work; Workers


POST OFFICE ETCHINGS: 10. BIRKENHEAD POST OFFICE, by AUSTIN PHILIPS    Poem Text                    
First Line: Sunday. Deserted square. Upon
Last Line: Odious, immune, unnoticed, slips into the sun.
Subject(s): Birkenhead (ship); Labor & Laborers; Postal Service; Work; Workers; Postmen; Post Office; Mail; Mailmen


POST OFFICE ETCHINGS: 8. POSTAL INVESTIGATOR (B), by AUSTIN PHILIPS    Poem Text                    
First Line: Draper's assistant. Doomed to be
Last Line: To her in anglesey.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Letters; Postal Service; Work; Workers; Postmen; Post Office; Mail; Mailmen


POST-HOLE MICK, by G. M. SMITH    Poem Text                    
First Line: A short time back while over in vic
Last Line: I'm afraid he'll arrive at one of the poles.
Alternate Author Name(s): Grey, Steele
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


POSTERIORS FOR POSTERITY, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: How to talk politely
Last Line: A nice juicy butt
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


POSTSCRIPT, by ANNE GRANT    Poem Text                    
First Line: Jean, fetch that heap of tangled yarn
Last Line: To plant in vain the barren laurel!
Alternate Author Name(s): Grant Of Laggan, Mrs.; Mac Vigar, Anne; Macvicar, Anne
Subject(s): Housewives; Labor & Laborers; Rhyme; Work; Workers


PRAIRIE GREYHOUNDS; C.P.R. 'NO. 1, WESTBOUND', by EMILY PAULINE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I swing to the sunset land
Last Line: That open alone to me.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tekahionwake
Subject(s): Commuters; Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


PRESENT DAY SONNETS: OUR LOOMS, by PERCY STICKNEY GRANT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Rich stuffs our looms weave for fair ladies' wear.'
Last Line: The brutish engine like all tyrants blind.
Subject(s): Class Struggle; Clothing & Dress; Labor & Laborers; Weaving & Weavers; Work; Workers


PRESSING REALITIES, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Scent of pine enters my window
Last Line: Reality might undo me
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


PROLETARIAN IN ABSTRACT LIGHT, by THOMAS MCGRATH    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now on the great stage a silence falls
Last Line: I do not want your love
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


PROSPERITY, by FRED VOSS    Poem Source                    
First Line: The big company bought the little company
Last Line: Became clear to the workers
Subject(s): Corporate Life; Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Industry; Labor And Laborers; Labor Unions; Money


PSALM OF THOSE WHO GO FORTH BEFORE DAYLIGHT, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The policeman buys shoes slow and careful
Last Line: Ears; they are brothers of cinders.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


QUALITY POOR, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: You can't be poor to live in the blue roofs
Last Line: Managed because we stand in line for aid
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


QUIET WORK; SONNET, by MATTHEW ARNOLD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: One lesson, nature, let me learn of thee
Last Line: Labourers that shall not fail, when man is gone.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


RAISINS IN SUMMER, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Friday before payday we haul the kids
Last Line: Have been, alongside our unmet desires
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


RAMBLE OF THE GODS THROUGH BIRMINGHAM, SELECTION, by JAMES BISSET    Poem Text                    
First Line: Next day they rambled round the town, and swore
Last Line: With thund'ring hammers made the air resound.
Subject(s): Birmingham, England; Goddesses & Gods; Labor & Laborers; Mythology; Towns; Work; Workers


RECOMPENSE, by DOROTHY MOORE ALFORD    Poem Text                    
First Line: The toils and pains of an honest day
Last Line: Is the love of god and man -- all told.
Subject(s): Contentment; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


REFLECTIONS IN AN IRONWORKS, by CHRISTOPHER MURRAY GRIEVE            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Would you resembled the metal you work with
Alternate Author Name(s): Macdiarmid, Hugh
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; War; Work; Workers


REPATRIATION, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They called the process. Red wheat senators
Last Line: A distorted credo in either tongue
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


RESIGNATION; AN ODE TO THE JOURNEYMEN SHOEMAKERS, SELECTION, by JOHN WOLCOTT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Sons of saint crispin, 'tis in vain! / indeed 'tis fruitless to complain
Last Line: A truth that grandeur wishes not to know.
Alternate Author Name(s): Pindar, Peter; Wolcot, John
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Oppression; Shoes; Strikes; Wages; Work; Workers; Boots; Sneakers; Shoemakers; Labor Disputes; Lockouts; Salaries


RETIREMENT: AN ODE, by THOMAS WARTON THE ELDER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: On beds of daisies idly laid
Last Line: Meet to adore some calf of gold.
Subject(s): Greed; Happiness; Labor & Laborers; Nature; Pleasure; Retirement; Avarice; Cupidity; Joy; Delight; Work; Workers


RHYMES FOR THE TIMES: 4. 1865, by JANET HAMILTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Juist noo there are mony wha rin to an' fro
Last Line: To the body?—then what for the soul an' for heaven?
Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Money; Reform & Reformers; Work; Workers


ROAD CHANGED WITH THE SEASONS, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: And shrink into dark raisins
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


ROADS, by HILDA WORTHINGTON SMITH    Poem Text                    
First Line: Where are the songs that will bind us as
Last Line: New roads of peace for the oncoming race.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Roads; Stones; Work; Workers; Paths; Trails; Granite; Rocks


ROADSIDE POEMS: A MANCHESTER POEM, by GEORGE MACDONALD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Tis a poor drizzly morning, dark and sad
Last Line: Dearer than eden-groves with rivers four.
Subject(s): Christianity; Cities; Decay; Flowers; God; Home; Labor & Laborers; Manchester, England; Nature; Poetry & Poets; Urban Life; Rot; Decadence; Work; Workers


RODGERSON'S DOUG, by WILLIAM AITKEN    Poem Text                    
First Line: In oor famed sugar city o' tierces and bags
Last Line: Had some men the judgment o' rodgerson's doug.
Subject(s): Animals; Dogs; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


RUBBER TIRES, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Some soothing balm the soul requires, when
Last Line: "as they leave, on learning bent, they whisper, ""what a sinful gent!"
Subject(s): Automobiles - Service Stations; Labor & Laborers; Youth; Gasoline Stations; Filling Stations; Automobile Repair Shops; Work; Workers


RUNA PACHA, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The feeling grows for weeks
Last Line: In this inhospitable air
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


RUSSIA: 1918, by MARY CRAIG SINCLAIR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, hear them! Hear their voices rise at last!
Last Line: A world is born, the kingly creeds are dead!
Alternate Author Name(s): Sinclair, Upton, Mrs.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Revolutions; Russia; Russian Revolution; Work; Workers; Soviet Union; Russians


SAM, by M. G. WILLIAMS    Poem Text                    
First Line: Sam hurls waste paper into canvas bags
Last Line: Hiccups that shake his rippling dinner-box.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SAN DIEGO AGED, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: My friends and I consume botanas
Last Line: Each day I breathe
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


SATISFACTION, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I hired a man to hoe my squashes; he came
Last Line: "action, endeavors to give satisfaction, deserves a high renown."
Subject(s): Gratitude; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SATURDAY'S CHILD, by COUNTEE CULLEN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Some are teethed on a silver spoon
Subject(s): Holidays; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SECTION GANG: AFTERNOON, by NORMAN BOLKER    Poem Text                    
First Line: A simmering sun glows and gleams
Last Line: His pick and shovel in their cool dank resting places for the night.
Subject(s): Afternoon; Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


SECTION GANG: DAYBREAK, by NORMAN BOLKER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Up comes the sun
Last Line: But he wouldn't know.
Subject(s): Dawn; Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Sunrise; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


SECTION GANG: MORNING, by NORMAN BOLKER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Even steel, with its tough heart
Last Line: And he feels the impact of a well completed swing of his pointed pick.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Morning; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


SECTION GANG: NIGHT, by NORMAN BOLKER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Gandy dancers sleep all night
Last Line: But he wouldn't know ...
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Night; Railroads; Work; Workers; Bedtime; Railways; Trains


SEEING THEM ON TELEVISION, by LISEL MUELLER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The miner's wives and children
Alternate Author Name(s): Muller, Lisel
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SERFS, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In the lands that the leagueless and lonely, where / fugitive, funeral-paced
Last Line: They are our serfs and our — brothers, slighted, forsaken, outcast.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Slavery; Work; Workers; Serfs


SERPENTINE VOICES: FROM SILENCE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: How many voices can I plum in this poem
Last Line: God, we were something else
Variant Title(s): Serpentine Voice
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


SETTLING, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I've never seen his eyes so brilliant, cat's eyes
Last Line: Anything can sneak between the cracks
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


SHE TENDS BAR, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: While she waits for a man
Last Line: And unstop her sink besides
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


SHINGLING THE NEW ROOF, by DAVID BOTTOMS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: On the roof of the garage my father was
Last Line: A sharp impression deepening to a bruise.
Subject(s): Accidents; Labor & Laborers; Mothers & Sons; Youth; Work; Workers


SHIRK OR WORK?, by GRACE BORDELON AGATE    Poem Text                    
First Line: It is easy to sit in the sunshine
Last Line: Until it has been on his back.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Leisure; Work; Workers


SHIRT, by ROBERT PINSKY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: The back, the yoke, the yardage, lapped seams
Subject(s): Clothing & Dress; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SIX O'CLOCK, by TRUMBULL STICKNEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now burst above the city's cold twilight
Last Line: And fall in blood: we bring him even now.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SKETCH FOR A JOB APPLICATION BLANK, by JAMES HARRISON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My left eye is blind and jogs like
Last Line: Warmth, more warmth, I cry.)
Alternate Author Name(s): Harrison, Jim
Subject(s): Ancestors & Ancestry; Labor & Laborers; Memory; Self-doubt; Heritage; Heredity; Work; Workers


SLOW BUT SURE, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The delegate who's slow but sure is nearly
Last Line: Allures, enchants. We let him wed our maiden aunts.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SMOKING IN AN OPEN GRAVE, by DAVID BOTTOMS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We bury ourselves to get high
Last Line: So much of us already geared for the journey.
Subject(s): Cities; Death; Labor & Laborers; Poverty; Urban Life; Dead, The; Work; Workers


SOFTBALL AND TOMATO FIELDS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: They swarm like ants from the edge of the field
Last Line: Runners caught between bases are all picked off
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


SOLDIERS OF MISFORTUNE, by ALICE CRANDALL THAL    Poem Text                    
First Line: Why carry on?
Last Line: Hope springs again and yet again. We carry on.
Subject(s): Class Struggle; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SOMETIMES MY MOTHER WOULD SURPRISE US AT DINNER, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: And for a moment the world would stop spinning
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


SONG FOR THE OLD ONES, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My fathers sit on benches
Last Line: They kept my race alive
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SONG OF THE CHRISTIAN WORKMAN, by THOMAS CURTIS CLARK    Poem Text                    
First Line: Our master toiled, a carpenter
Last Line: Who serve in labor's brotherhood?
Subject(s): Christianity; Jesus Christ; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SONG TO THE MEN OF ENGLAND, by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Men of england, wherefore plough
Last Line: England be your sepulchre.
Variant Title(s): True Freedom
Subject(s): Freedom; Labor & Laborers; Manchester, England; Massacres; Liberty; Work; Workers


SONGS OF LABOR: DEDICATION, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I would the gift I offer here
Last Line: In labor, as in prayer, fulfilling the same law.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SONNET: 29, by ARTHUR DAVISON FICKE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In the fair picture of my life's estate
Last Line: To wreck, — and then rebuild it, stone by stone.
Alternate Author Name(s): Knish, Anne
Subject(s): Buildings & Builders; Labor & Laborers; Loss; Memory; Solitude; Sonnet (as Literary Form); Work; Workers; Loneliness


SONNET: 73, by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: That time of year thou mayst in me behold
Last Line: To love that well which thou must leave ere long.
Variant Title(s): "that Time Of Year Thou Mayst In Me Behold"";where Late The Sweet Birds Sang;sonnet #73;
Subject(s): Aging; Autumn; Conceit; Death; Labor & Laborers; Love - Marital; Old Age; Seasons; Fall; Dead, The; Work; Workers; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love


SOUND, by JAMES HARRISON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: At dawn I squat on the garage
Last Line: As they burst from the trees.
Alternate Author Name(s): Harrison, Jim
Subject(s): Birds; Labor & Laborers; Morning; Work; Workers


SOUNDS OF THE CITY, by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE    Poem Text                    
First Line: From where I sit the city's ceaseless roar
Last Line: Whose every hour a tragedy reveals.
Subject(s): Cities; Fights; Labor & Laborers; Urban Life; Work; Workers


SOUTHEAST ARKANASIA, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: After eli whitney's gin brought to generations
Last Line: And the absence of despair / over yonder?
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: COONEY POTTER, by EDGAR LEE MASTERS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I inherited forty acres from my father
Last Line: Brought me here ere I had reached my sixtieth year.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SPRING AND FALL: TO A YOUNG CHILD, by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Margaret, are you grieving
Last Line: It is margaret you mourn for.
Variant Title(s): Spring And Fall
Subject(s): Autumn; Children; God; Grief; Holidays; Labor & Laborers; Mnemonics; Mourning; New Year; Seasons; Social Protest; Spring; Fall; Childhood; Sorrow; Sadness; Work; Workers; Bereavement


SQUARING THE NAMES, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: When we caught lice in third grade
Last Line: The one whose tongue savors life
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


ST. JUAN GUALBERTO, by ROBERT SOUTHEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The work is done, the fabric is complete
Last Line: And still the good man's name adorns the sainted roll.
Subject(s): Catholic Church - Liturgy; Labor & Laborers; Monks; Piety; Work; Workers


STATION SWEEPER, by IONE MORRISON RIDER    Poem Text                    
First Line: These large imposing marble corridors
Last Line: And dignity attends him down the hall.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroad Stations; Work; Workers


STEVEDORE, by EDGAR DANIEL KRAMER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I watched him rolling hogsheads
Last Line: From the witching moon.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


STOCK AND VERMONT PUNKINS, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I'll tell you what 'twas fun to do
Last Line: The same as hide and hair.
Subject(s): Food & Eating; Fruit; Hunger; Migrant Labor; Pumpkins; Vermont; Migratory Workers; Agricultural Laborers


STONE WALL BUILDERS, by EDITH HASKELL TAPPAN    Poem Text                    
First Line: Sturdy and staunch were those new england men
Last Line: In this the land we love!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; New England; Stones; Walls; Work; Workers; Granite; Rocks


STRAWBERRY TIME, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When the strawberry, ripening, blushes
Last Line: From fields where the berries are thick.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Childhood Memories; Fruit; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Strawberries; Work; Workers


STRUCTURAL IRON WORKERS, by MACKNIGHT BLACK    Poem Text                    
First Line: What love / do these men give their women
Last Line: Toward the sky's edge.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


STUMBLING-BLOCKS, by MINNIE M. SHIRK    Poem Text                    
First Line: Isn't it strange that princes and kings
Last Line: A stumbling-block, or a stepping-stone.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


SUITE TO APPLENESS: 2, by JAMES HARRISON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the quonset shed unloading the fertilizer
Last Line: Losing shape, into a thick green slime and jelly.
Alternate Author Name(s): Harrison, Jim
Subject(s): Apples; Farm Life; Fruit; Labor & Laborers; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


SWEAT-SHOP SLAVES, FR. THE POET IN THE DESERT, by CHARLES ERSKINE SCOTT WOOD    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I see my white-faced sisters of the foul tenements
Last Line: The devil-dance of the shuttles!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Sweatshops; Women - Employment; Work; Workers; Sweating System; Professional Women; Women In Business; Women's Careers


SWEET WILL, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The man who stood beside me
Subject(s): Alcoholism & Alcoholics; Industry; Labor & Laborers; Transience; Drunkards; Alcohol Abuse; Work; Workers; Impermanence


SYMPHONY OF THE SOIL, by EVA K. ANGLESBURG    Poem Text                    
First Line: The red sun sinks in veils of amethyst
Last Line: The motif of this music of the plains.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Prairies; Soil; Work; Workers; Plains


SYMPTOMS, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I'm not a-workin' now!
Last Line: I'm not a-workin' now!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Idleness; Labor & Laborers; Agriculture; Farmers; Laziness; Sloth; Indolence; Work; Workers


TASKS, by IRMA LOUISE EHRENSBERGER    Poem Text                    
First Line: I thought I'd catch up with my tasks today
Last Line: I caught up with my dreams instead!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


TELEGRAPH OPERATORS, by M. RAINSFORD HAINES    Poem Text                    
First Line: You sit like silent magicians
Last Line: About your quiet eyes and touched your patient glance with irony.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Telegraph; Work; Workers; Telegrams


TELEPHONE POLES, by JOHN UPDIKE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: They have been with us a long time
Last Line: By being never green
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Telephones; Work; Workers


THAT GOLDEN TIME, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis            
First Line: When will it come, that golden time
Last Line: Makes every man a king.
Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H.
Subject(s): Freedom; Labor & Laborers; Liberty; Work; Workers


THAT GREAT DAY, by OLIVER MURRAY EDWARDS    Poem Text                    
First Line: Dear jesus, when I realize
Last Line: My soul for that great day.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Prayer; Service; Work; Workers


THAT'S VERMONT, by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If any stranger thinks vermont
Last Line: Or boom! Bing! Bang! Wow! Wang! And zip!
Subject(s): Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Mountain Life - Vermont; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


THE A & P, by MINNIE BRUCE PRATT            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She rolled a tomato in her hand, pink rubber
Subject(s): Farm Life; Migrant Workers; Food & Eating; Supermarkets


THE ADVANCE GUARD, by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They fret and fume at the humdrum round round of sleep and food and toil
Last Line: For civilization dogs the heels of a highly uncivilized crew.
Subject(s): Guard Duty; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE BAD WORKMAN, by JACQUES ANATOLE FRANCOIS THIBAULT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Master laurent coster, with poetry in his heart
Last Line: Through looking in your dark eyes overlong.
Alternate Author Name(s): France, Anatole
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Solitude; Work; Workers; Loneliness


THE BALLAD OF MARY ANN, by E. M. WRIGHT    Poem Text                    
First Line: Mary ann came by one sunday
Last Line: "I just stopped by to get me pay."
Subject(s): Idleness; Labor & Laborers; Laziness; Sloth; Indolence; Work; Workers


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: ABSALOM, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I first discovered what was killing these men.
Subject(s): Family Life; Labor & Laborers; Death; Relatives; Work; Workers; Dead, The


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: ALLOY, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Subject(s): Furnaces; Landscape; Labor & Laborers; Kilns; Work; Workers


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: GEORGE ROBINSON: BLUES, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Gauley bridge is a good town for negroes, they let us stand
Subject(s): African Americans; Labor & Laborers; Illness; Dust; Negroes; American Blacks; Work; Workers


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: MEARL BLANKENSHIP, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: He stood against the stove
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Illness; Death; Work; Workers; Dead, The


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: PRAISE OF THE COMMITTEE, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: These are the lines on which a committee is formed.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Illness; Law & Lawyers; Work; Workers; Attorneys


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: THE BILL, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The subcommittee submits:
Subject(s): United States - Congress; Minerals; Disease; Labor & Laborers; Legislation; Work; Workers


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: THE DISEASE: THE AFTER-EFFECTS, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: This is the life of a congressman.
Subject(s): United States - Congress; Minerals; Disease; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: THE DOCTORS, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Tell the jury your name.
Subject(s): Trials; Physicians; Labor & Laborers; Death; Doctors; Work; Workers; Dead, The


THE BOOK OF THE DEAD: THE FACE OF THE DAM: VIVIAN JONES, by MURIEL RUKEYSER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: On the hour he shuts the door and walks out of town;
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Snow; Dams; Work; Workers


THE BOSS'S BOOTS, by HENRY HERTZBERG LAWSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The shearers squint along the pens, they squint along the shoots
Last Line: But pink 'em nice and pretty when you see the boss's boots.
Subject(s): Deception; Labor & Laborers; Sheep; Shoes; Work; Workers; Boots; Sneakers; Shoemakers


THE BREAD OF THIS WORLD; PRAISES III, by THOMAS MCGRATH    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: On the christmaswhite plains of the floured and flowering
Last Line: But that is a workaday story and this is the end of the week
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Men; Work; Workers


THE BRICKLAYER, by VASILY (VASILI) VASILYEVICH KAZIN    Poem Text                    
First Line: I saunter home in the evening
Last Line: Sings a red song of the bricks.
Subject(s): Bricklayers; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE BRIDE, by BELLA AKHMADULINA    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh to be a bride
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Marriage; Women; Work; Workers; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


THE BULLPEN PITCHER, by WILLIAM A. PHELON    Poem Text                    
First Line: The beaver and the busy bee
Last Line: A bullpen pitcher—that is all!
Subject(s): Baseball; Labor & Laborers; Sports; Work; Workers


THE BURDEN OF THE DAY, by BAYARD TAYLOR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Who shall rise and cast away
Last Line: Lose the burden of the day!
Alternate Author Name(s): Taylor, James Bayard
Subject(s): Fortune; Freedom; Labor & Laborers; Liberty; Work; Workers


THE CARPENTER, by PRIMUS ST. JOHN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I look at my hands
Last Line: Until our bodies fall off.
Subject(s): Hands; Labor & Laborers; Slavery; Work; Workers; Serfs


THE CARTER, by WILLIAM BARNES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: O, I be a carter wi' my whip
Last Line: The heavy lwoad do slowly ride.
Subject(s): Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Trucks & Trucking; Wagons; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Teamsters; Truckers; Freight


THE CLICK OF THE WIELDED PICK, by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER    Poem Text                    
First Line: Oh, I like to list to the wielded pick
Last Line: And sweet is its metal tone.
Subject(s): Axes; Knives; Labor & Laborers; Hatchets; Daggers; Work; Workers


THE CLOSING OF THE RODEO, by WILLIAM JAY SMITH            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The lariat snaps, the cowboy rolls
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Rodeos; Sports; Work; Workers


THE COLLEGE COLONEL, by HERMAN MELVILLE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: He rides at their head
Last Line: Ah heaven! -- what truth to him!
Subject(s): American Civil War; Labor & Laborers; United States - History; War; Work; Workers


THE COMMON TASKS, by GRACE NOLL CROWELL    Poem Text                    
First Line: The common tasks are beautiful if we
Last Line: That at our given work we do our best.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE CORN HUSKER, by EMILY PAULINE JOHNSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Hard by the indian lodges, where the bush
Last Line: Like the dead husks that rustle through her hands.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tekahionwake
Subject(s): Corn; Injustice; Labor & Laborers; Metaphor; Native Americans; Weariness; Work; Workers; Similes; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America; Fatigue


THE CORNER NEWSBOY, by VICTORIO ACOSTA VELASCO    Poem Text                    
First Line: Shout aloud your merchandise, loud, louder
Last Line: Winter morning's breakfast.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; News; Newspapers; Work; Workers; Journalism; Journalists


THE CROSS ROADS, by ROBERT SOUTHEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There was an old man breaking stones
Last Line: And a stone is on her face.
Subject(s): Funerals; Girls; Labor & Laborers; Lunch; Murder; Rest; Soldiers; Story-telling; Travel; Burials; Work; Workers; Journeys; Trips


THE DAUGHTER OF HERODIAS, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Three yellow slaves were set to swing
Last Line: "to-morrow's supper shall be light."
Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Moon; Slavery; Work; Workers; Serfs


THE DAY AND THE WORK, by EDWIN MARKHAM    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: To each man is given a day and his work for the day
Last Line: So your work is awaiting: it has waited through ages for you.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE DEATH OF THE HIRED MAN, by ROBERT FROST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mary sat musing on the lamp-flame at the table
Last Line: Dead,' was all he answered.
Subject(s): Death; Home; Labor & Laborers; Dead, The; Work; Workers


THE DEVIL'S DUE, by EDITH BLAND NESBIT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Arsenius, priest of god, I tell
Last Line: The church their love built waits for them.
Alternate Author Name(s): Nesbit, E.; Bland, Mrs. Hubert
Subject(s): Churches; Labor & Laborers; Socialism; Cathedrals; Work; Workers


THE DITCH, by MICHAEL RYAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the ditch, half-ton sections of cast-iron molds
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE DREAM SONGS: 299, by JOHN BERRYMAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The irish have the thickest ankles in the world
Last Line: Depressed. Down on my knees
Alternate Author Name(s): Smith, John, Jr.
Subject(s): Dublin, Ireland; Labor & Laborers; Prayer; Work; Workers


THE ENGLISH FARM-LABORER'S SUNDAY, by MARGARET ELIZABETH MUNSON SANGSTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The winds are sweet that sweep to-day
Last Line: Each day in all the seven.
Alternate Author Name(s): Van Deth, Gerrit, Mrs.
Subject(s): Bible; Churches; Labor & Laborers; Sabbath; Cathedrals; Work; Workers; Sunday


THE EVERLASTING SUNDAY, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Waiting for it
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE FACTORIES, by MARGARET WIDDEMER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I have shut my little sister in from life and light
Last Line: God of life! Creator! It was I! It was I!
Alternate Author Name(s): Schauffler, Mrs. Robert H.
Subject(s): Child Labor; Labor & Laborers; New York City; Work; Workers; Manhattan; New York, New York; The Big Apple


THE FEE, by BILL ZAVATSKY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear author: / we are preparing
Last Line: At your earliest convenience
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Poetry & Poets; Work; Workers


THE FISHERWOMAN, by DAVID IGNATOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: She took from her basket four fishes
Subject(s): Fish & Fishing; Labor & Laborers; Women; Anglers; Work; Workers


THE FISHVENDOR, by WILLIAM MEREDITH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Where he stood in boots in water to his calves
Alternate Author Name(s): Meredith, Morris
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE FLEECE: BOOK 2, by JOHN DYER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Now of the severed lock begin the song
Last Line: Who toil and wealth exchange for sloth and pride.
Subject(s): Animal Rights; Clothing & Dress; Hunting; Labor & Laborers; Sheep; Trade; Animal Abuse; Vivisection; Hunters; Work; Workers


THE FLEECE: BOOK 3, by JOHN DYER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Proceed, arcadian muse; resume the pipe
Last Line: Lo, from the simple fleece, how much proceeds.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Trade; Weaving & Weavers; Work; Workers


THE FLEECE: BOOK 4, by JOHN DYER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Now, with our wooly treasures amply stored
Last Line: Or as air's vital fluid o'er the globe.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Merchants; Trade; Travel; Weaving & Weavers; Work; Workers; Journeys; Trips


THE FLOWERING ORCHARD; SILK EMBROIDERY, by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896)    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Lo silken my garden
Last Line: When summer was hot!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Orchards; Work; Workers


THE FORGE; A ROMANCE OF THE IRON AGE, by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Like a dead man gone to his shroud
Last Line: Is all as black as the devil!
Subject(s): Forges; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN INDUSTRY, by DONALD HALL    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the ford plant
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE FOUR DEARS, by EBENEZER ELLIOTT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Dear sugar, dear tea, and dear corn
Last Line: Shall still rob the dear british nation.
Alternate Author Name(s): Corn-law Rhymer; Elliot, Ebenezer
Subject(s): Free Trade; Labor & Laborers; Politics & Government; Trade; Work; Workers


THE GENTLE WEIGHT LIFTER, by DAVID IGNATOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Every man to his kind of welcome in the world
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE GLORY OF TOIL, by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Whether they delve in the buried coal, or plough the upland soil
Last Line: Is guiding the whole creation up from the deeps to him!
Alternate Author Name(s): Dean
Subject(s): God; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE GRANDMOTHER, by WENDELL BERRY            Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Better born than married, misled
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE GRAVE DIGGER, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A grim old man with a weazened visage
Last Line: Chuckles the sexton, digging graves.
Subject(s): Cemeteries; Death; Graves; Labor & Laborers; Graveyards; Dead, The; Tombs; Tombstones; Work; Workers


THE GREAT FRANCHISE DEMONSTRATION: DUNDEE, 20TH SEPTEMBER 1884, by WILLIAM MCGONAGALL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Twas in the year of 1884, and on saturday the 20th of september
Last Line: And they all dispersed quietly to their homes without delay.
Subject(s): Human Rights; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE GRUNTER, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If you're complaining of your task, and sighing
Last Line: His wages, will land some morning at the dump, and there he'll stay for ages.
Subject(s): Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Wages; Work; Workers; Salaries


THE HEART KNOWETH ITS OWN BITTERNESS' (2), by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: When all the overwork of life
Last Line: I full of christ and christ of me.
Alternate Author Name(s): Alleyne, Ellen; Rossetti, Christina
Subject(s): God; Hearts; Labor & Laborers; Life; Soul; Work; Workers


THE HELMET, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All the way
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE HILL ABOVE THE MINE, by MALCOLM COWLEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Nobody comes to the graveyard on the hill
Last Line: Your white bones drifting like herons across the moon.
Subject(s): Cemeteries; Labor & Laborers; Graveyards; Work; Workers


THE HIRED MAN'S FAITH IN CHILDREN, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I believe all childern's good
Last Line: S jes' as good as they kin be!
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Children; Labor & Laborers; Childhood; Work; Workers


THE INDIAN CORN PLANTER, by EMILY PAULINE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: He needs must leave the trapping and the chase
Last Line: With fostering richness, mothers every grain.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tekahionwake
Subject(s): Hunting; Labor & Laborers; Native Americans; Plants; Hunters; Work; Workers; Indians Of America; American Indians; Indians Of South America; Planting; Planters


THE INHERITOR, by RENE FRANCOIS ARMAND PRUDHOMME    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I am kind-hearted, wish no creature ill
Last Line: Bland-eyed and bloody as an ogre's whelp.
Alternate Author Name(s): Sully-prudhomme
Subject(s): Inheritance And Succession; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE IRON WORKER, by MAURICE BROWN KIRBY    Poem Text                    
First Line: We've heard about the sojer an' his gun
Last Line: An' his motto often gits him in a gang.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE JOB, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The job will not make you, my boy
Last Line: Just what you will make of your job.
Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE JOBHOLDER, by DAVID IGNATOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I stand in the rain waiting for my bus
Last Line: And wait for my turn to die.
Subject(s): Death; Labor & Laborers; Dead, The; Work; Workers


THE LABORER, by RICHARD DEHMEL    Poem Text                    
First Line: We have a bed, and a baby too
Last Line: Only time!
Subject(s): Family Life; Fields; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Time; Relatives; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers


THE LABORER, by JOSE-MARIA DE HEREDIA (1842-1905)    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Here is the yoke, with arrow and share near by
Last Line: In sunless fields of erebus forlorn.
Subject(s): Fields; Labor & Laborers; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers


THE LABORER'S NOONDAY HYMN, by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Up to the throne of god is borne
Last Line: When we shall sink to final rest.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE LABOURER, by ALEKSEY STEPANOVICH KHOMYAKOV    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: All day, so long as arms had power
Last Line: Is ready to be sown by thee.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE LABOURER, by GEORGE MEREDITH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: For a heracles in his fighting ire there is never the glory that follows
Last Line: Trust.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Mythology; Work; Workers


THE LAMENTATION OF THE OLD PENSIONER (2), by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Although I shelter from the rain
Last Line: That has transfigured me.
Alternate Author Name(s): Yeats, W. B.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Retirement; Work; Workers


THE LAMPLIGHTER, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My tea is nearly ready and the sun has left the sky
Last Line: O leerie, see a little child and nod to him to-night!
Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour
Variant Title(s): A Child's Garden Of Verses: 30
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Lamplighters; Work; Workers


THE LAST RHYME, SAVE ONE, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I've sung in a wayward fashion
Last Line: The poet of later on.
Subject(s): Friendship; Labor & Laborers; Life; Poetry & Poets; Rhyme; Singing & Singers; Story-telling; Work; Workers


THE LAW, by KATHARINE SPRINGER    Poem Text                    
First Line: In your own hands your future lies
Last Line: You set the price, fate in your own coin paid!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Law & Lawyers; Work; Workers


THE LAW OF ADJUSTMENT, by ROBERT EMMET SHERWOOD    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Said the man with the hoe to the man with the pick
Last Line: Saw his grocery bill -- and then struck for more pay.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Work; Workers


THE LAY OF THE LABOURER, by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: A spade! A rake! A hoe!
Last Line: The spital, or the gaol!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE LIVING DEAD, by RALPH CHAPLIN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mourn not the dead that in the cool earth lie
Last Line: And dare not speak!
Subject(s): Freedom; Industrial Workers Of The World (i.w.w.); Labor Unions; Liberty


THE LONG TRAIL: THE PRAIRIE FARM, by ELIZABETH SEWELL HILL    Poem Text                    
First Line: Under the lifting ridges of smoke
Last Line: Is come—is come!
Subject(s): Farm Life; Fields; Labor & Laborers; Prairies; Roads; Agriculture; Farmers; Pastures; Meadows; Leas; Work; Workers; Plains; Paths; Trails


THE MACHINE, by MAXWELL STRUTHERS BURT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Once in a dreary place where women die
Last Line: Find only this, a respite from the loom?
Alternate Author Name(s): Burt, Struthers
Subject(s): Death; Labor & Laborers; Mills & Millers; Women; Dead, The; Work; Workers


THE MACHINE, by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Since thursday he'd been working overtime
Last Line: As, hand in hand, they wandered through the night.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Machinery & Machinists; Work; Workers


THE MAN WITH THE HOE, by EDWIN MARKHAM    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Bowed by the weight of centuries he leans
Last Line: After the silence of the centuries?
Subject(s): Art & Artists; Farm Life; Freedom; Labor & Laborers; Mankind; Millet, Jean Francois (1814-1875); Oppression; Paintings & Painters; Religion; Social Protest; Soldiers; Agriculture; Farmers; Liberty; Work; Workers; Human Race; Theology


THE MAN WITH THE HOE OUTWITTED, by EDWIN MARKHAM    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: He drew a circle that shut me out
Last Line: We drew a circle that took him in!
Variant Title(s): Outwitted
Subject(s): Forgiveness; Labor & Laborers; Clemency; Work; Workers


THE MAN WITH THE HOE'; A REPLY, by JOHN VANCE CHENEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Nature reads not our labels, 'great' and 'small'
Last Line: And let a kingdom go.
Subject(s): Art & Artists; Labor & Laborers; Markham, Edwin (1852-1940); Work; Workers


THE MARCH O' MAN, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Down to work o' mornings, an' back to home at nights
Last Line: But sweet an' low 'tis love that calls us home at close o' day.
Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie
Subject(s): Home; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE MARRIAGE, by MARK STRAND    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The wind comes from opposite poles
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Love - Marital; Work; Workers; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love


THE MASTER'S MAN, by WILLIAM G. TARRANT    Poem Text                    
First Line: My master was a worker
Last Line: The master's men are there.
Subject(s): Jesus Christ; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE MINERS OF DELTA, by SUSAN STEWART    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: In the anonymous night I see them
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE MODEL KID, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: How sweet the child who says, 'I will'
Last Line: Dies, no soul in town will mourn.
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Obedience; Parents; Parenthood


THE MONTH OF MAYING, by THOMAS MORLEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now is the month of maying
Last Line: Shall we play barley-break.
Variant Title(s): Madrigal Set By Thomas Morley (11)
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE MORNING QUATRAINS, by CHARLES COTTON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The cock has crow'd an hour ago
Last Line: Would be discover'd by the cry.
Variant Title(s): Morning
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE MUNITION WORKERS, by DIANA JAMES    Poem Text                    
First Line: They sat upon a hill
Last Line: With the dread weight of an eternal sleep.
Subject(s): Arms & Armor; Labor & Laborers; Weapons; Ammunition; Work; Workers


THE NEXT FIFTY YEARS, by ANSELM HOLLO    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Turn, tremble at honk
Last Line: To where road starts again
Subject(s): Buildings & Builders; Cities; Future Life; Labor & Laborers; Urban Life; Retribution; Eternity; After Life; Work; Workers


THE NURSE, by KATHARINE TYNAN    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Such innocent companionship
Last Line: Within is only innocence.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hinkson, Katharine Tynan
Subject(s): Caregivers; Children; Innocence; Labor & Laborers; Nurses; Praise; Childhood; Work; Workers


THE ODE OF PERFECT YEARS: 3. LABOUR, by LEWIS MORRIS (1833-1907)    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: They do the maker wrong
Last Line: A voice of high hope conquering despair!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE OFFICIAL SCORER, by WILLIAM A. PHELON    Poem Text                    
First Line: He sits down in the press-box, knowing well
Last Line: Is general derision and the razz!
Subject(s): Anger; Baseball; Labor & Laborers; Sports; Work; Workers


THE OLD CARRIER, by JOHN LAWSON STODDARD    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Patient toiler on the road
Last Line: To and from menaggio.
Subject(s): Aging; Bells; Christmas; Death; Labor & Laborers; Nativity, The; Dead, The; Work; Workers


THE OLD GENTRY, by MATTHEW PRIOR    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: That all from adam first began
Last Line: Himself can fix or change his fate.
Subject(s): Adam & Eve; Bible; Fate; Labor & Laborers; Destiny; Work; Workers


THE OLD LABOURER, by ARTHUR WILLIAM SYMONS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: His fourscore years have bent a back of oak
Last Line: Just seventeen pence to starve on, seven days long.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Work; Workers


THE OLD WORKMAN, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Why are you so bent down before your time
Last Line: "when I lie underground."
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Work; Workers


THE ORANGE BEARS, by KENNETH PATCHEN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The orange bears with soft friendly eyes
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Poetry & Poets; Whitman, Walt (1819-1891); Work; Workers


THE PAPER CUTTER, by DAVID IGNATOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: He slides the cut paper out
Last Line: "and not get up all day,"" he laughs"
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE PARENT, by OGDEN NASH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Children aren't happy with nothing to ignore
Subject(s): Children; Labor & Laborers; Mothers; Parents; Childhood; Work; Workers; Parenthood


THE PLATELAYER, by WILFRID WILSON GIBSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Tapping the rails as he went by
Last Line: But he was tired, and it must wait.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE POOR LISTENER, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I sit in the grocery store, discoursing of current
Last Line: Other fellows a chance.
Subject(s): Grocers; Labor & Laborers; Public Meetings; Speech; Work; Workers; Oratory; Orators


THE PRESENT, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The day comes slowly in the railyard
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


THE PROBLEM, by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Not without envy wealth at times must look
Last Line: Save in the golden rule of christ alone.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE RAINBOW [IN THE SKY], by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: My heart leaps up when I behold
Last Line: Bound each to each by natural piety.
Variant Title(s): "my Heart Leaps Up When I Behold"";my Heart Leaps Up;
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Nature; Rainbows; Religion; Work; Workers; Theology


THE RIVER-MERCHANT'S WIFE: A LETTER, by LI PO    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: While my hair was still cut straight across my forehead
Last Line: As far as cho-fu-sa.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rihaku; Li Pai; Li Tai Pe; Li Bo; Li Bai
Variant Title(s): Cathay: The River Merchant's Wife: A Letter
Subject(s): Absence; Labor & Laborers; Love - Marital; Men; Teenagers; Separation; Isolation; Work; Workers; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love


THE ROAD MENDERS, by LAURENCE BINYON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: How solitary gleams the lamplit street
Last Line: The fiery destiny of man.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Roads; Work; Workers; Paths; Trails


THE ROADMAN, by ARTHUR GLYN PRYS-JONES    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: He is a man with stubbled, lean, grey face
Last Line: Whether I keep a road clean ... For anyone.
Subject(s): Cleanliness; Labor & Laborers; Refuse & Refuse Disposal; Wales; Work; Workers; Welshmen; Welshwomen


THE SACRAMENT OF WORK, by WILLIAM ARTHUR DUNKERLEY    Poem Text                    
First Line: Upon thy bended knees thank god for work
Last Line: We thank thee, lord!
Alternate Author Name(s): Oxenham, John
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Religion; Sacraments; Work; Workers; Theology


THE SEAMSTRESS, by HENRI BARBUSSE    Poem Text                    
First Line: A glimmer of daylight through the rain
Last Line: In invisible song.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Retail Trade; Seamstresses; Sewing; Work; Workers; Stores; Shops; Shopkeepers


THE SHEARER'S SERENADE, by PIERRE CASSEE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Come out, o miss, of yonder 'omestead proud
Last Line: Of really quite innumerable b's.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bushy Bill
Subject(s): Desire; Labor & Laborers; Love; Sheep; Work; Workers


THE SHEPHERD BOY'S SONG, FR. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, by JOHN BUNYAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: He that is down need fear no fall
Last Line: Is best from age to age.
Variant Title(s): The Valley Of Humiliation
Subject(s): Humility; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE SLEEPERS, by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis            
First Line: As I walked down the waterside
Last Line: And long before their time they die.
Alternate Author Name(s): Davies, W. H.
Subject(s): Homeless; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE SONG OF THE DRAINER (ON TOWARD MOUNTAIN), by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: He is the drainer- / out on the moorland bleak and grey, using his
Last Line: Such is the drainer.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Solitude; Work; Workers; Loneliness


THE SONG OF THE LOWER CLASSES, by ERNEST CHARLES JONES    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We plough and sow - we're so very, very low
Last Line: But too low to touch the spoil.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE SONG OF THE QUARRYMEN, by WINFRED GEORGE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Oh, listen to the steady mighty stroke!
Last Line: Or some inscription by multitude is read.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE SONG OF THE SHIRT, by THOMAS HOOD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: With fingers weary and worn
Last Line: "she sang this ""song of the shirt!"
Subject(s): Adversity; Freedom; Labor & Laborers; Religion; Social Protest; Liberty; Work; Workers; Theology


THE SONG OF THE SHOVEL, by PATRICK MACGILL    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Down on creation's muck-pile where the sinful / swelter and sweat
Last Line: When you'll rise o'er sword and sceptre a mighty power in the land.
Subject(s): Byzantine Empire; Death; Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Dead, The; Work; Workers


THE SORROWS OF SUNDAY; AN ELEGY, SELECTION, by JOHN WOLCOTT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Susan, the constant slave to mop and broom
Last Line: And ride themselves an airing with the devil.
Alternate Author Name(s): Pindar, Peter; Wolcot, John
Subject(s): Grief; Household Employees; Labor & Laborers; Sabbath; Slavery; Sorrow; Sadness; Servants; Domestics; Maids; Work; Workers; Sunday; Serfs


THE SOWER, by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ridge on ridge the great fields lie
Last Line: And the prayers of broken hearts.
Subject(s): England; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; English; Work; Workers


THE SPINNING WHEEL, by ISOBEL (ISABEL) PAGAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When I sit at my spinning wheel
Last Line: That takes this occupation.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Spinning; Work; Workers


THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES, by ALEXANDER ANDERSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: Come, fling for a moment, my fellows
Last Line: For one wild moment to see!
Alternate Author Name(s): Surfaceman
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Progress; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


THE SQUIRE OF DAMES; OR, A TOUR IN SPAIN, by ROWLAND EYLES EGERTON-WARBURTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: How happy who travels from london to cadiz
Last Line: That man highly favour'd, the squire of four ladies.
Alternate Author Name(s): Egerton-warburton, R. E.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Spain; Women; Work; Workers


THE STATUARY, by VICTOR GUSTAVE PLARR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Mong purple deeps and foam-engirdled shallows
Last Line: Till now his fame to the four winds is blown.
Subject(s): Craftsmanship; Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Work; Workers


THE STRIKE OF THE SMITHS, by FRANCOIS COPPEE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Messieurs les juges! My story shall be brief
Last Line: And if you send me to the scaffold—thanks!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Strikes; Work; Workers; Labor Disputes; Lockouts


THE STUDENT'S WIFE, by VICTOR MARIE HUGO    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: She said, 'it is true, love; how foolish my sighs!
Last Line: "you look at me sometimes yourself for a while!"
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Love; Schools; Work; Workers; Students


THE SUMMER GIRL, by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The summer girl doth now unfurl
Last Line: "the cow with the crumpled horn"
Subject(s): Beauty; Girls; Labor & Laborers; Seduction; Summer; Work; Workers


THE SUNDOWNER'S SACRIFICE, by J. O.    Poem Text                    
First Line: Old jacky gazed on the setting sun
Last Line: "h—m, clear out of here like—blazes!"
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Practical Jokes; Work; Workers; Pranks


THE SUPERSEDED, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: As newer comers crowd the fore
Last Line: Too, drop behind?
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Work; Workers


THE SWEATSHOP POEM, by EDWARD HIRSCH    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: There are thirty-one shallow graves in august
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Sweatshops; Work; Workers; Sweating System


THE SWEEPER OF THE FLOOR, by GEORGE MACDONALD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Methought that in a solemn church I stood
Last Line: It is the lord! I cried, and saw no more.
Subject(s): Churches; Cleanliness; Labor & Laborers; Religion; Cathedrals; Work; Workers; Theology


THE SWEEPERS, by ADA GIDDINGS    Poem Text                    
First Line: The jaquaranda blued the walk and lawn
Last Line: Before you blame another, try his yoke!
Subject(s): Brotherhood; Labor & Laborers; Sonnet (as Literary Form); Work; Workers


THE SWEEPERS, by WILLIAM WHITEHEAD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis            
First Line: I sing of sweepers, frequent in thy streets, / augusta, as the flowers
Last Line: And perished in the streets from whence she sprung.
Subject(s): Cleanliness; Industry; Labor & Laborers; Pensions; Work; Workers


THE SWING, by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: How do you like to go up in a swing
Last Line: Up in the air and down!
Alternate Author Name(s): Stevenson, Robert Lewis Balfour
Variant Title(s): A Child's Garden Of Verses: 33
Subject(s): Children; Labor & Laborers; Swings; Childhood; Work; Workers


THE THINKER, by BERTON BRALEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Back of the beating hammer
Last Line: Who's making the dream come true!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE THREE BEST THING: 1. WORK, by HENRY VAN DYKE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Let me but do my work from day to day
Last Line: Because I know for me my work is best.
Alternate Author Name(s): Civis Americanus
Variant Title(s): The Blessing Of Work
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Religion; Work; Workers; Theology


THE TOTE TEAM, by ARCHIE WILFRED STONE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Over the bridge / with heavy tread
Last Line: A black and a white and a blood-red bay.
Subject(s): Animals; Horses; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE TRAFFIC MAN, by ANNETTE WYNNE    Poem Text                    
First Line: The traffic man stands in the square
Last Line: When his day's work is done.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; September; Traffic; Work; Workers


THE TRAINED ASS, by FRANCIS JAMMES    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I'm the trained ass, the very ass who can
Last Line: In my nightmare to count the very stars.
Subject(s): Asses & Mules; Labor & Laborers; Pain; Mules; Work; Workers; Suffering; Misery


THE TRUCK DRIVER, by EDITH HARRIET JONES    Poem Text                    
First Line: He came out from the house
Last Line: American.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Trucks & Trucking; Work; Workers; Teamsters; Truckers; Freight


THE TRUTH ABOUT ENVY, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I like to see the flowers grow
Last Line: If I would work like those who do.
Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie
Subject(s): Envy; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE VERMONT 'HIRED MAN', by DANIEL LEAVENS CADY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The hired man we knew of yore
Last Line: The past and present hired man.
Subject(s): Cattle; Cows; Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Milk; Vermont; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Milkmen; Milkmaids


THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH, by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Under a spreading chestnut-tree
Last Line: Each burning deed and thought!
Subject(s): Blacksmiths; Cambridge, Massachusetts; Home; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE VILLAGE MUNITIONS CO., INC.; FORMERLY THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Under spreading chestnut tree
Last Line: Has earned two thou. Per cent.
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Business; Factories; Labor & Laborers; Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth (1807-1882); Money; Wealth; Businessmen; Businesswomen; Work; Workers; Riches; Fortunes


THE VOICE OF HUMAN LABOR, by MRS. W. N. CARLETON    Poem Text                    
First Line: I am human labor
Last Line: Shall be upon all nations.
Subject(s): Humanity; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE WALL, by EUGENIO MONTALE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: To lie in shadow on the lawn
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE WANTS OF MAN, by JOHN QUINCY ADAMS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Man wants but little here below
Last Line: The mercy of my god.
Subject(s): Contentment; Labor & Laborers; Simplicity; Work; Workers


THE WASHERWOMAN, by ALICE CARY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: At the north end of our village stands
Last Line: In marriage-robes, I trust.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Laundry & Laundering; Soul; Washerwomen; Work; Workers


THE WAY, by ROBERT CREELEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: My love's manners in bed
Last Line: And love her as hard as you can
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Love - Marital; Work; Workers; Wedded Love; Marriage - Love


THE WESTERN JOURNALIST, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: It's a wonderful town,' said the newspaper
Last Line: "nor climate a career."
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Newspapers; Television - Interviewing; Travel; Work; Workers; Journalism; Journalists; Journeys; Trips


THE WHILE THEY CRADLE CLOTHES...., by ALFRED FRANCIS KREYMBORG    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: And those who do their washing in a stream
Last Line: That men who labour gather while they toil.
Subject(s): Clothing & Dress; Labor & Laborers; Sea; Work; Workers; Ocean


THE WOMEN TOILERS, by GRACE BOWEN EVANS    Poem Text                    
First Line: I saw them from our car today
Last Line: As I was passing by their fields today!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Women - Employment; Work; Workers; Professional Women; Women In Business; Women's Careers


THE WOODMAN, by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The woodman in clearing the forest
Last Line: Hewing our way to the light.
Subject(s): Forests; Labor & Laborers; Woods; Work; Workers


THE WORD IS DEED, by JOHN BROOKS WHEELWRIGHT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: John begins like genesis
Last Line: Dance all, for each would dare the tune.)
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Tools; Work; Workers


THE WORKER, by DAVID GREENHOOD    Poem Text                    
First Line: I've towered above the hilt of my spade
Last Line: Even christ could not make you listen.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE WORKER, by GERALD MASSEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I care not a curse though from birth he inherit
Last Line: I'll cherish, - a man ever dear to my soul.
Alternate Author Name(s): Bandiera
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE WORKING MAN (AFTER SEEING HIS PICTURE IN THE PRESS), by ALFRED DENNIS GODLEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Working man! Whose psychic beauty
Last Line: Bless the british working man!
Alternate Author Name(s): Godley, A. D.
Subject(s): Class Struggle; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE WORKING MAN'S SONG, by JOHN STUART BLACKIE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: I am no gentleman, not I!
Last Line: Who made me so!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE WORKMAN, by RICHARD DEHMEL    Poem Text                    
First Line: We have a bed and we have a child
Last Line: Time--that's all.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THE WORLD AND THE QUIETEST, by MATTHEW ARNOLD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Why, when the world's great mind
Last Line: And drained his mighty bowl.
Variant Title(s): To Critias
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Rest; Work; Workers


THE YOUNG GLASS-STAINER, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: These gothic windows, how they wear me out
Last Line: Mary, and think of aphrodite's form.'
Subject(s): Architecture & Architects; Glass & Glassblowers; Labor & Laborers; Paintings & Painters; Glaziers; Work; Workers


THEIR BODIES, by DAVID WAGONER    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: That gaunt old man came first, his hair as white
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


THEN AND NOW, by CECIL DAY LEWIS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Do you remember those mornings after the blitzes
Last Line: Make real, of glory, common wealth, and home.
Alternate Author Name(s): Blake, Nicolas
Subject(s): Factories; Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Memory; News; Strikes; Surrey, England; Unemployment; Work; Workers; Labor Disputes; Lockouts


THESE OLD RAGS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I dig in hard clay dirt
Last Line: I could use a cheap gardener
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


THEY FEED THEY LION, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Out of burlap sacks, out of bearing butter
Subject(s): Animals; Dreams; Food & Eating; Industry; Labor & Laborers; Lions; Nightmares; Work; Workers


THIS YEAR'S CYCLE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: We lie on the sand, carve tunnels down our sides
Last Line: We make connections: our sons ask about the beach
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


THIS YEARNING SEASON, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Another spring done up in blue-eyed grass
Last Line: More dance and show me how its done
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


THROUGH TOIL, by AMOS LUNT HINDS    Poem Text                    
First Line: I hold it better far that one should rule
Last Line: To sluggish souls, -- nor his transcendent peace.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


TIMES CHANGE, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The other day I bought a hen, which fowl
Last Line: Liver.
Subject(s): Cost Of Living; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


TISICA, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: What does your dusty shack
Last Line: Nightmare of the poor, the dread disease
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


TO A BEE, by ROBERT SOUTHEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Thou wert out betimes, thou busy busy bee
Last Line: Woe then for thee, thou busy busy bee!
Subject(s): Bees; Insects; Labor & Laborers; Nature - Religious Aspects; Teaching & Teachers; Beekeeping; Bugs; Work; Workers


TO A SUCCESSFUL MAN; (WHAT THE GHOSTS SAID), by ALFRED NOYES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: And after all the labour and the pains
Last Line: In your last dreams they may come back to you.
Subject(s): Courage; Dreams; Faces; Fame; Labor & Laborers; Love; Valor; Bravery; Nightmares; Reputation; Work; Workers


TO BE OF USE, by MARGE PIERCY    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: The people I love the best
Subject(s): Jewish Families; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


TO CERTAIN JOURNEYMEN, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Undertakers, hearse drivers, grave diggers
Last Line: And you earn a living by those who say good-by today in thin whispers.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


TO CHARLOTTE PULTENEY [IN HER MOTHER'S ARMS], by AMBROSE PHILIPS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Timely blossom, infant fair, / fondling of a happy pair
Last Line: This picture, once, resembled thee.
Alternate Author Name(s): Phillips, Ambrose; Nam-by-pam-by
Variant Title(s): To An Infant In Her Mother's Arms
Subject(s): Babies; Labor & Laborers; Infants; Work; Workers


TO F.A.B., A VIRTUOUS YOUNG PHYSICIAN ABOUT TO PRACTISE, by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB    Poem Text                    
First Line: Frank, young in years, but no unworthy heir
Last Line: The master whom luke served is also thine.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Physicians; Professions; Work; Workers; Doctors


TO IRON-FOUNDERS AND OTHERS, by GORDON BOTTOMLEY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When you destroy a blade of grass
Last Line: Chisels men's hands to magnify.
Subject(s): Environment; Industrial Revolution; Labor & Laborers; Environmental Protection; Ecology; Conservation; Work; Workers


TO LABOR, by HARRY RANDOLPH BLYTHE    Poem Text                    
First Line: O ye who toil at forges!
Last Line: Which rightly is your own.
Subject(s): Factories; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


TO LABOR, by CHARLOTTE PERKINS STETSON GILMAN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Shall you complain who feed the world?
Last Line: Believe and dare and do!
Alternate Author Name(s): Stetson, Charlotte Perkins
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Social Problems; Work; Workers


TO MY READERS, by ALEXANDER ANDERSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A worker on the rail, where, day by day
Last Line: This book of railway song.
Alternate Author Name(s): Surfaceman
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


TO ONE ASLEEP, by VICTOR GUSTAVE PLARR    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: With a rush and a growl at cannon street
Last Line: Here is man's eldest son?'
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Sleep; Social Classes; Weariness; Work; Workers; Caste; Fatigue


TO TEACHERS OF THE YOUNG, by JANET HAMILTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Husbandman, for work prepare
Last Line: Finds an early tomb.
Alternate Author Name(s): Hamilton, Janet Thompson
Subject(s): Farm Life; Labor & Laborers; Youth; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers


TO THE RAILROAD MEN, by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: O brotherhood of engineers
Last Line: Of so-called sleeping cars at 8o?
Alternate Author Name(s): F. P. A.
Subject(s): Business; Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Businessmen; Businesswomen; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


TO THE STREET PIANO: A LABOURER'S WIFE, by JOHN DAVIDSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All the day I worked and played
Last Line: I hope to die to-night.
Subject(s): Despair; Labor & Laborers; Marriage; Work; Workers; Weddings; Husbands; Wives


TO WAKEN AN OLD LADY, by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: Old age is
Last Line: Piping of plenty.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Old Age; Work; Workers


TOADS REVISITED, by PHILIP LARKIN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: Walking around in the park
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Toads; Work; Workers


TOBY'S REPLY, by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: O toby was a darky who could pick the banjo fine
Last Line: "wait on de students, massa."" he promptly made reply."
Subject(s): African Americans; Labor & Laborers; Universities & Colleges; Negroes; American Blacks; Work; Workers


TOIL, by RALPH GROTE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Investment of the golden hours of youth!
Last Line: From toil to truth, 'tis god's eternal song!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


TOIL, by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: He had toiled away for a weary
Last Line: "but toil is sweeter than all things else."
Alternate Author Name(s): Johnson Of Boone, Benj. F.
Subject(s): Day; Labor & Laborers; Love; Night; Soul; Work; Workers; Bedtime


TOILING CHILDREN, by NELLIE H. EVANS    Poem Text                    
First Line: The prey of greed and cruel industry
Last Line: An ample chance to play, to grow and learn.
Subject(s): Babies; Cruelty; Labor & Laborers; Infants; Work; Workers


TOM'S GARLAND: UPON THE UNEMPLOYED, by GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Tom - garlanded with squat and surly steel
Last Line: Manwolf; worse; and their packs infest the age.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Unemployment; Work; Workers


TORQUE, by DAVID RIVARD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: After his ham & cheese in the drape factory cafeteria
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 2. IN A MANUFACTURING TOWN, by EDWARD CARPENTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: As I walked restless and despondent through the gloomy city
Last Line: Little child.
Subject(s): Capitalism; Democracy; Depressions, Economic; Environment; Factories; Labor & Laborers; Poverty; Smoke; Recessions; Environmental Protection; Ecology; Conservation; Work; Workers


TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 2. WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH THEE, by EDWARD CARPENTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Weary with the restless burden of this world last night I fell
Last Line: "quickly—into space!"
Subject(s): Conventions; Labor & Laborers; Politics & Government; Wealth; Assemblies; Meetings; Work; Workers; Riches; Fortunes


TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 3. THE STONE-CUTTER, by EDWARD CARPENTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: And men to-day - are they not always running about to do something
Last Line: Emerge time after time from the heart of the people.
Subject(s): Carpenters; Labor & Laborers; Stone-cutting; Work; Workers


TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 4. IN THE STONE-FLOORED WORKSHOP, by EDWARD CARPENTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There in the stone-floored workshop in the middle of a great dirty city
Last Line: And my dear comrade.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Stone-cutting; Work; Workers


TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 4. THE DREAM GOES BY, by EDWARD CARPENTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The dream goes by, touches men's hearts, and floats and fades again
Last Line: And floats, and waits, again.
Subject(s): Dreams; Labor & Laborers; Nightmares; Work; Workers


TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 4. THE PLOUGHBOY, by EDWARD CARPENTER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The blackbirds sing so sweetly in the morning
Last Line: Lord! It does make you sweat!
Subject(s): Animals; Farm Life; Horses; Labor & Laborers; Singing & Singers; Stables; Agriculture; Farmers; Work; Workers; Songs


TOWERS OF SIMON RODIA; FOR HOWARD W. SWENSON 1903-1081, by KAREN SWENSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Trapped in a tunnel
Last Line: The day he locked the door on eden.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Rodia, Simon (1875-1959); Watts Towers, Los Angeles (1921-1955); Work; Workers


TRAGEDY, by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL    Poem Text     Poem Explanation                 Poet's Biography
First Line: This, of all fates, would be the saddest end
Last Line: To every baseness of the foe he fought.
Alternate Author Name(s): A. E.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Mythology - Celtic; Slavery; Work; Workers; Serfs


TRANSLATIONS OF PINDAR: 6. TO AGESIAS OF SYRACUSE, by REGINALD HEBER    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Who seeks a goodly bower to raise
Last Line: No meaner theme assign of poesy!
Subject(s): Fights; Goddesses & Gods; Labor & Laborers; Mythology; Work; Workers


TRINITY PLACE, by PHYLLIS MCGINLEY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The pigeons that peck at the grass in trinity churchyard
Alternate Author Name(s): Hayden, Charles, Mrs.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Pigeons; Unemployment; Work; Workers


TRIUMPHAL MARCH, by THOMAS MCGRATH    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: After the long strike
Last Line: What did it matter we'd lost?
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Labor Unions; Strength; Strikes; Work; Workers; Labor Disputes; Lockouts


TURNING TRAYS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Each vineyard is a world of crosses
Last Line: Unfinished lines to tend
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


TURNS AT THE DANCE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The man who loves rancheras holds out his hand
Last Line: She weighs his invitation to the dance
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


TWO KINDS, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The lad who'd prosper well, and rise, to
Last Line: Neglects his stunt, should the old man disappear.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Money; Wages; Work; Workers; Salaries


TWO POINTS OF VIEW: 1, by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB    Poem Text                    
First Line: Because you've mused on some old masterpiece
Last Line: The rest is nothing but exploded cant.
Subject(s): Business; Economics; Labor & Laborers; Businessmen; Businesswomen; Work; Workers


TWO POINTS OF VIEW: 2, by CHARLES WILLIAM BRODRIBB    Poem Text                    
First Line: Because we have enjoyed the 'pure serene'
Last Line: Ideal truth would reconcile the two.
Subject(s): Business; Labor & Laborers; Businessmen; Businesswomen; Work; Workers


ULYSSES, by ALFRED TENNYSON    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation     Poet's Biography
First Line: It little profits that, an idle king
Last Line: To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tennyson, Lord Alfred; Tennyson, 1st Baron; Tennyson Of Aldworth And Farringford, Baron
Variant Title(s): Ulysses Impatient Of Rest
Subject(s): Aging; Explorers; Labor & Laborers; Mythology - Classical; Old Age; Perseverance; Religion; Sea; Ulysses; Wandering & Wanderers; Exploring; Discovery; Discoverers; Work; Workers; Theology; Ocean; Odysseus; Wanderlust; Vagabonds; Tramps; Hoboes


UNCLE JAKE AND THE LEVEE, by BELLE RICHARDSON HARRISON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: De lord holps dem dat hopls deyselves
Last Line: "he ain't de man what I tuck him fur!"
Subject(s): African Americans; Doubt; Labor & Laborers; Religion; Negroes; American Blacks; Skepticism; Work; Workers; Theology


UNHAPPY ENDINGS, by CHARLES HARPER WEBB    Poem Source                     Poet's Biography
First Line: In their first fight, collin jones, with his pale skin like mine
Last Line: Bottles rain %on the ring: green vases exploding into white bouquets
Subject(s): Fights; Social Problems; Social Workers


UNREST, by BURGES JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The motorman bangs on his noisy gong
Last Line: I know I'm tired of being me!
Subject(s): Children; Labor & Laborers; Self; Childhood; Work; Workers


UNWANTED, by EDWARD FIELD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The poster with my picture on it
Alternate Author Name(s): Elliot, Bruce
Subject(s): Gays & Lesbians; Labor & Laborers; Poetry & Poets; Social Protest; Homoeroticism; Lesbians; Gay Women; Gay Men; Work; Workers


VAGABONDS, by JAMES LANGSTON HUGHES    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We are the desperate
Alternate Author Name(s): Hughes, Langston
Subject(s): African Americans; Labor & Laborers; Negroes; American Blacks; Work; Workers


VALEDICTORY, by ADAM LINDSAY GORDON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Lay me low, my work is done
Last Line: I am weary, lay me low.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Rest; Work; Workers


VALLEY FEVER, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: I was a favorite niece, the only daughter
Last Line: Fifth down on the left, my branch grows slowly
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


VISION, by CHRISTIAN ERNST SCHNEIDER    Poem Text                    
First Line: The chisel's deft twist and the mallet's tap, tap
Last Line: "with ""vision"" that effort inspires."
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Marble; Sculpture & Sculptors; Vision; Work; Workers


VISION OF THREE ANGELS VIEWING THE PROGRESS OF SOCIALISM, by THOMAS MCGRATH    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: And the first with his hands folded and a money belt for a truss
Last Line: So I'll stick around until judgment. Heaven is a sometime thing
Subject(s): Angels; Economics; Labor & Laborers; Politics & Government; Socialism; Work; Workers


VISTAS OF LABOR: 1. THE STEAMSHIP STOKER, by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Sweat-drenched, and blinded by the heat, he reels
Last Line: The seeming dead grow light and labor-strong!
Subject(s): Eyes; Heaven; Labor & Laborers; Soul; Paradise; Work; Workers


VITA BREVIS, by AMELIA WOODWARD TRUESDELL    Poem Text                    
First Line: Unless as part of some great thought
Last Line: Work just begun.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WAGE-SLAVES TO WAR-MAKERS, by EDWARD RALPH CHEYNEY    Poem Text                    
First Line: We have no land for which to fight
Last Line: It will be you, it will be you!
Alternate Author Name(s): Cheyney, Ralph
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Russian Revolution; Social Protest; War; Work; Workers


WAIT A LITTLE LONGER, by CHARLES MACKAY    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: There's a good time coming, boys
Last Line: Wait a little longer.
Variant Title(s): The Good Time Coming
Subject(s): Hope; Labor & Laborers; Optimism; Work; Workers


WAITING, by JOHN DAVIDSON    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Within unfriendly walls / we starve - or starve by stealth
Last Line: And the word we must obey.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Poverty; Waiting; Wealth; Work; Workers; Riches; Fortunes


WAITING FOR THE RAIN, by JOHN SHAW NEILSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: The weather has been warm for a fortnight now or more
Last Line: For soon we all will vanish like the rain.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Rain; Sheep; Work; Workers


WARNING, by JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Do not touch him - do not wake him!
Last Line: Whilst her child is in the cradle -- slumbers pass too soon away.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Sleep; Work; Workers


WE ARE ALL WORKMEN, by RAINER MARIA RILKE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: We are all workmen: prentice, journeyman
Last Line: God, you are vast.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WE REAL COOL; THE POOL PLAYERS. SEVEN AT THE GOLDEN SHOVEL, by GWENDOLYN BROOKS    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: We real cool. We / left school. We
Last Line: Die soon.
Variant Title(s): We Real Cool
Subject(s): African Americans; African Americans - Children; Americans; Death; Labor & Laborers; Men; United States; Youth; Negroes; American Blacks; Dead, The; Work; Workers; America


WE'RE ALL ALIKE, YOU KNOW, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: My client tells me there's a look
Last Line: Right, that makes us all alike?
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


WEEK'S END, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: How sweet to rest serenely in the gloaming
Last Line: Heaps of mon.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Pride; Wages; Working Class - United States; Work; Workers; Self-esteem; Self-respect; Salaries


WEST BY NORTH AGAIN, by HENRY (HARRY) HARBORD MORANT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We've drunk our wine, we've kissed our girls, and funds are sinking low
Last Line: Or, if she jilts you, may you get a better in her place.
Alternate Author Name(s): Breaker, The; Lumpkin, Tony
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Travel; Work; Workers; Journeys; Trips


WHAT HAVE I DONE?, by LILLIAN BLANCHE FEARING    Poem Text                    
First Line: I lay my finger on time's wrist to score
Last Line: Then ask thyself -- what yet is to be done?
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WHAT I WOULDN'T DO, by DORIANNE LAUX    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The only job I didn't like, quit
Last Line: And had been waiting all day to hear.
Subject(s): Job Hunting; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WHAT SHALL ENDURE?, by JAMES CHRISTIAN LINDBERG    Poem Text                    
First Line: The poet squanders time in idle dreams
Last Line: The dreamer's song, perchance, outlasts them all.
Subject(s): Dreams; Hope; Labor & Laborers; Poetry & Poets; Nightmares; Optimism; Work; Workers


WHAT THE CURANDERA KNOWS, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: With a candle and a canning jar
Last Line: What more is there?
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


WHAT THE ENGINE SAYS, by ALEXANDER ANDERSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: What does the mighty engine say
Last Line: Butting space backward with his head.
Alternate Author Name(s): Surfaceman
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Railroads; Work; Workers; Railways; Trains


WHAT WE WANT, by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All hail the dawn of a new day breaking
Last Line: We want just dividing of labour and gold.
Alternate Author Name(s): Wilson, Robert, Mrs.
Subject(s): Equality; Labor & Laborers; Nations; Work; Workers


WHAT WORK IS, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: We stand in the rain in a long line
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WHEN A MAN'S OUT OF A JOB, by SAM WALTER FOSS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: All nature is sick from her heels to her hair
Last Line: W'en a feller is out of a job.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Unemployment; Work; Workers


WHEN LIVING WAS A LABOR CAMP CALLED MONTGOMERY, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Back in the forties, you joined the family each summer to sort
Last Line: The camp and no one would know your smell
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


WHEN SOUNDS RING TRUE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: Long ago, a woman struck a gong with a hammer made
Last Line: Matching jaws thrust forward to crowd the sky
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


WHEN YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE, by DIANA GARCIA    Poem Source                    
First Line: The monster lived on the road to merced
Last Line: To cover my gasps. His breath filled my room
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Poverty


WHEREVER WE STOPPED, WE SET UP A CARPA -- A TENT, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: The tiny holes of the canvas
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


WHO ARE THE HEROES!, by JAMES NICHOLSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: Who are the heroes? - the men who labour
Last Line: God save the labourer! Still be our prayer.
Subject(s): Heroism; Labor & Laborers; Heroes; Heroines; Work; Workers


WHO IS YOUR BOSS?, by EDGAR ALBERT GUEST    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I work for someone else,' he said
Last Line: They are the ones who really lose.
Alternate Author Name(s): Guest, Eddie
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WHY TOMAS CAM WAS GRUMPY, by JAMES STEPHENS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: If I were rich what would I do?
Last Line: ...Where's my spade! I've work to do!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Wealth; Wisdom; Work; Workers; Riches; Fortunes


WIDOWHOOD, by MARY ELIZABETH B. CROUSE    Poem Text                    
First Line: Now is she crowned with perfectness at last
Last Line: She labors, knowing that heaven hath her life.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Life; Widows & Widowers; Work; Workers


WITH KIT, AGE 7, AT THE BEACH, by WILLIAM EDGAR STAFFORD    Poem Text         Poet Analysis         Recitation by Author     Poet's Biography
First Line: We would climb the highest dune
Subject(s): Fathers; Labor & Laborers; Men; Prayer; Swimming & Swimmers; Work; Workers; Swimmers


WITH ROD AND REEL, by RAY CLARKE ROSE    Poem Text                    
First Line: With rod and reel the toiler plays
Last Line: With rod and reel.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WOLBROOK JUNCTION HIGH SCHOOL HISTORY TEACHER WATCHES HIS WIFE ..., by BELLE WARING    Poem Source                    
First Line: And suddenly, leaning into the edible ear
Last Line: I fell for her %and sank down, fathomless
Subject(s): Marriage; Social Workers


WOMAN WORK, by MAYA ANGELOU    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: I've got the children to tend
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Women; Work; Workers


WOODEN WHEELS, by LOWELL C. BALLARD    Poem Text                    
First Line: A fleet of schooners slowly respond
Last Line: Of wooden wheels.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK, by LOUIS JAMES BLOCK    Poem Text                    
First Line: Ah, blessedness of work! The aimless mind
Last Line: The limitless sun of truth shines more and more.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: What are we set on earth for? Say, to toil
Last Line: And share its dew-drop with another near.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK, by ALICE CARY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Down and up, and up and down
Last Line: And the grace of god through all.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK, by KENYON COX    Poem Text                    
First Line: Work thou for pleasure
Last Line: Be added unto thee.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK, by JEAN INGELOW    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Like coral insects multitudinous
Last Line: Who wrought those marvellous isles that bloom afar.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Life; Work; Workers


WORK, by EMMA LAZARUS    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Yet life is not a vision nor a prayer
Last Line: And naught may daunt her, -- she hath strength for all.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK, by VIRGINIA WOODS MACKALL    Poem Text                    
First Line: I work and work, but I can't see
Last Line: I'd rather let the whole thing go.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK, by EDITH BLAND NESBIT    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When I am busying about
Last Line: And never make the same thing twice!
Alternate Author Name(s): Nesbit, E.; Bland, Mrs. Hubert
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK, by ALEKSANDR SERGEYEVICH PUSHKIN    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Here is the long-bided hour: the labor of years is accomplished
Last Line: Friend of the golden-haired dawn, friend of the gods of the hearth?
Alternate Author Name(s): Pushkin, Alexander; Poushkin, Aleksander Sergyevich
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Wages; Work; Workers; Salaries


WORK, by J. W. THOMPSON    Poem Text                    
First Line: How true it is when I am sad
Last Line: So that's why god invented work.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK AND CONTEMPLATION, by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The woman singeth at her spinning-wheel
Last Line: The better for the sweetness of our song.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Christianity; Work; Workers


WORK AND REST, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: To work is good, to saw your wood, while
Last Line: The shows and things like those, and leave your tasks for daytime.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Rest; Work; Workers


WORK GANGS, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Box cars run a mile long
Subject(s): Americans; Justice; Labor & Laborers; United States; Work; Workers; America


WORK GLOVES; FOR BILL AND JON ORR, by GREGORY ORR    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All morning with gloved
Last Line: And breathe deeply.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK SONG, by WENDELL BERRY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: By the fall of years I learn
Last Line: And sweat the fields have seasoning
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORK THROUGH IT ALL, by JOHN TROTWOOD MOORE    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Hope, tho' misfortune o'ertake you
Last Line: Your hands busy working withal.
Subject(s): Courage; Labor & Laborers; Sacrifices; Valor; Bravery; Work; Workers


WORK TO DO, by ANNETTE WYNNE    Poem Text                    
First Line: What busy times the world sees now
Last Line: Your way—you sing!
Subject(s): April; Harvest; Labor & Laborers; Plantation Life; Spring; Work; Workers


WORK WITHOUT HOPE, by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: All nature seems at work, slugs leave their lair
Last Line: And hope without an object cannot live.
Variant Title(s): In Springtime;a Dream Of Spring
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Spring; Work; Workers


WORK [A SONG OF TRIUMPH], by ANGELA MORGAN    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Work! / thank god for the might of it
Last Line: Thank god for the splendor of work!
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORKERS, by WALT MASON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: It's good to work, with might and main, until
Last Line: Friends.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Money; Wages; Work; Workers; Salaries


WORKERS' OFFSPRING, by VINCENT FERRINI    Poem Text                    
First Line: Out of iron earth our tenement lives
Last Line: In false nation, born unalive.
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Nations; Soul; Work; Workers


WORKING GIRLS, by CARL SANDBURG    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: The working girls in the morning are going to work
Last Line: Streets.
Subject(s): Child Labor; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


WORKMEN, by FLORA SHUFELT RIVOLA    Poem Text                    
First Line: A carpenter lived quietly and died
Last Line: —christian century
Subject(s): Carpenters; Crucifixion; Jesus Christ; Labor & Laborers; Jesus Christ - Crucifixion; Work; Workers


WORKWORN, by EMILY PAULINE JOHNSON    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Across the street, an humble woman lives
Last Line: My tasks, my heart, had much the lighter grown.
Alternate Author Name(s): Tekahionwake
Subject(s): Happiness; Hope; Labor & Laborers; Life; Joy; Delight; Optimism; Work; Workers


WRESTLING ANGELS, by DAVID BOTTOMS    Poem Text                     Poet's Biography
First Line: With crowbars and drag chains
Last Line: Leaning over graves like old men lamenting their age.
Subject(s): Iron & Steel Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


YOU CAN HAVE IT, by PHILIP LEVINE    Poem Text     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: My brother comes home from work
Subject(s): Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


YOU ON THE TOWER, by THOMAS HARDY    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: You on the tower of my factory
Last Line: "he brushed you by as he flew."
Subject(s): Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers


YOU WERE BORN ON THE ROAD, LIKE YOUR FATHER, by JUAN FELIPE HERRERA    Poem Source         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
Last Line: The land like tropical birds
Subject(s): Children Of Migrant Workers; Mexican American Families


YOUTH, by JAMES WRIGHT    Poem Text         Poet Analysis             Poet's Biography
First Line: Strange bird
Last Line: Than he is, or I am
Alternate Author Name(s): Wright, James A.
Subject(s): Fathers; Industry; Labor & Laborers; Work; Workers