The worker

After reading both versions. I agree with Jess, the original is a much better version. Although both are very good. Nice to see a variation on a theme. Work, stretch, take risks, visualize your future. Become the poet you have always longed to be. All that is needed is honest effort.-DSB

WTF? I was commenting on a poem. Joe, I am heartily surprised by your attitude as an "Advocate." When this site was originally designed, we wanted "Advocates" to encourage poets to write better poetry than what they had previously. However, we did not intend for an "Advocate" to make another poet a "Better writer/poet" by attacking them or being rude and insensitive to their creations. If you are wondering I am not using the Royal "We". I mean the people that started this board. Somehow, I think you have missed the whole point of being an "Advocate" or at the very least you do not like to have anyone disagree with your opinion. But sadly for the rest of the poets on here, this is just my opinion and should be taken as such. As far as the armour goes...I think its pretty cool, and your not the only vetran on the board. I served my time with the US Army. Sorry I was a lowly Platoon Sgt E-6 with the 1/221 Armor Batt, 11th ACR Work, stretch, take risks, visualize your future. Become the poet you have always longed to be. All that is needed is honest effort.-DSB

reaching for the dictionary for one or two words and there are some poems I just need to pass up. This is perfect for me Elf. I did not see any earlier version that I recall and right now it is not important. Your poetry has meaning for me, Thanks

Actually, that's not true..I enjoy being critical. I am a college educated professional, and I have no clue what this poem is about. Jess your obviously an extremely intelligent individual and I enjoy our "spirited" exchanges but I must admit this work, I did not care for. Looking forward to reading your other pieces. Brian (bellavistabear)

Smiles:) Barbara In honesty I like the house painter better. I don't think it is a dumb down version of the worker at all. actually it is one of your best poem. For certain I need the dictionary to understand this piece, but it did not help me much. It is a short poem so I did not mind, but long poems needing the dictionary tired me out, so I just shy away from them. My inability to understand GOOD poetry is present in me in this piece. Hope I did not offend, but I like the house painter a whole lot better.

I liked this poem although I thought it was about Michelangelo. I guess he could be considered a housepainter extraordinaire. I liked the link betwen "he works" and "beauty happens." Hopefully, we're all trying to do that to the degree possible in our own work.

I confess to knowing not every dictionary term how can I Im just me defectual sitting in my alligator moat with all my other alligators But I loved this poem because its so different then Jess's usual made me stop and read it my favourit line is thus "He finds the line and talks with a walls memories..." also reminds me of the wall in Washington for the soldiers of Vietnam walls have such meaning in our lives Pink Floyd sang about them A freind of mine builds them and another is a professional painter But I loved this Jess