I trained to be a carpenter,
And I was pretty bloody good.
I liked to use all hand tools
And loved the feel of wood.
But life is made of variety,
At work as well as at play;
The skills I acquired in other jobs
Meant changes along the way.
I learned to fix the water pipes,
Paint the house and round about,
And learned to drive a tractor
To drag the bogged truck out.
I learned to wash the nappies
And bath the little ones
I learned to do the housework
When the outside work was done.
Then I worked a cattle farm,
Did whatever had to be done;
I'm sure now I have qualified:
Jack of all trades; master of none.
Author notes
It takes all kinds to make a world, so I guess tradesmen are no different.
A contest entry
- The Abilities That I Have. by CountryCousin.
1750 points, ended November 20, 2008, 11 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments please
Comments
1 - 20 of 20
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Indeed.
This is so true as not everyone can be a doctor or lawyer etc. It is the people using their abilities to do the job at hand and that means a better world for us all. -
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I think the ordinary tradespeople are just as important to society as the doctors, lawyers and such. Where would we all be without them? I appreciate your kind comments and applause.
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Great Poem!
Super statements! Good images! Good wording! Very Good job! Good luck in the contest!
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Thank you kind sir. Every tradesman is much the same as myself. Its a matter of necessity.
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I have worked as an upholsterer & a frame maker & in timber mills. I would rather teach! Great poem.
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There is a certain amout of satisfaction gained from making something out of bits and pieces of other materials. Teaching is not a strong point with me but I think I should have started writing many years ago as writing gives satisfaction too. Many thanks for your comments, teacher
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Carpentry has had some very powerful students, apparently Jesus was a carpenter I think most of us are Jacks of all trades through necessity mate
Small suggestion, 2nd line 2nd Stanza, change it to "in play", your masterpiece of course
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Carpentry has had some interesting graduates over the years, hasn't it? For me it was the base for many other things I had to learn. I agree that we are all Jack of all Trades by necessity. Such is life. Thank you, my friend.
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And now you have another trade that of the wordsmith. Damn fine write Bob. Happy trails
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Many thanks David, I still have doubts about that wordsmith bit, but I seem to get a fair few reads, so there must be something. I am still a learner and always will be.
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Good write here
Yes I was told once try everything at least once to get to know how to do it and you will never be without an job
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One's working life is never straight forward from go to whoa. there are always side tracks that come up. Thank you for commenting and you are right, those who have a variety of skills are never out of work.
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Nicely penned
Ahhhh...the skill we learn along the way
A case of have to most times. I enjoyed your poem very much 
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Life has a way of making all of us into 'jack's of all trades'.
It's a matter of survival in our world. thank you for your encourageing comments. Glad you liked it.
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Hey Bill
Mighty handy it so seems. The house work can do you in though. lol. As for myself well Thses big hands always got in the way. Happy writing my friend.
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I lived alone for quite a while and housework was just a necessity. When the kids left home it was a lot easier. Those big hands of yours are probably very capable, even with housework.
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To be a jack of all trades is fantastic!! I get called that at work, going across different departments
Not too bad with the DIY at home either!! But you seem like you've had lots more experience!!
Great poem Bob!
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Of course I've had lots experience, I am as old as the hills. Never had the money to pay someone to do the job, so had to do it myself. Life has been, and still is, a long learning process.
Many thanks for your comments,Jackie.
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superb! This was a top write that could describe a lot of people that have done so many things in their lives, but your's is special. You definately had the flow running here and I found it a lot of fun to read. Just wrote this today, Bob? Very good indeed.
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It's an old outline extended and finished off a bit. May need some more editing later on. I just put it on five minutes ago. Many thanks for your supportive comments.
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