Anybody heard from John Giles lately? Last Christmas he posted an original poem, which I have slightly tweaked to fit the way I hear the meter.
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Twas the day of the survey, as we got to the site
The neighbors all argued, getting ready to fight
The transit was plumbed, dead center on nail
The neighbors still fighting, soon they’d need bail
Pin finder was singing, a sound we desire
Dig a hole with the shovel, just an old piece of wire
The rodman fills hole, as I go search on
Pin finder not singing, this corner is gone
I cross the meadow, toward corner two
Pin finder starts singing, its sound ringing true
This must be a pin, that sound is so great
Get rodman's attention, he starts to berate
Now here! Now There! Where'd you want me to go
He dashes away madly, gives the shovel a throw
Where next will you send me? His feet are still dragging
GET YOUR BUTT OVER HERE, BRING ME SOME FLAGGING
As I watch the men argue, my rodman looks lost
I realize I should have doubled the cost
He finally comes to me, with flagging in tow
“Where’s the shovel?” I ask, He shrugs, “I don’t know”
He digs with his fingers, the prize soon is found
Not one, not two, but three pins in the ground!
I look at all three, set hundredths from each
Their caps all touching, what a day at the beach
Search the third corner, keeping rodman in sight
Neighbors still fighting, as to which one is right
Only one at this corner, real easy to find
It's lying by fence post, I’m losing my mind!
I hope corner four, with luck will be there
Neighbors turn blue, as they continue to swear
Pin finder starts singing, it’s a beautiful sound
Where’s rodman gone now, nowhere to be found
I dig and I poke, with nail from my pocket
Stress growing unbound, eyes popping from socket
I glance up to see, rodman quenching his thirst
As he drinks I yell, “Here, lets find this pin First!”
He puts the jug down, wanders my way
Find corner in place, might be a good day!
He walks up to me, face with grimace and smirk
I ask “Where’s your rod now?”, he turns with a jerk
I walk to the transit, can see all from here
Neighbors still fighting, but I’m in the clear
Water jug calls me, thirsty as can be
Tilt it up to the sky, not a drop left for me!
To corner the fourth, rodman makes his way
I sight on the prism, then yell, “Okay!”
He walks to the post, leans rod on its side
I shoot post turn center, we’re catching our stride!
He gets to the corner, where pins number three
“hold on now” he yells, then darts off to pee
I wait with patience, so thirsty and dry
Sun on my head, I’m starting to fry
We shoot them all in, pin cushioned so tight
I inverse to see, which one is right
Pore over the plats, calc'late what’s missing
Rodman in bushes, and again he’s p**sing!
I yell for the rodman, corners ready to set
He walks back to me, pouring with sweat
I rub my brow, only salt left to wipe
Quit sweating last hour, I’m losing my sight!
Send rebar and hammer, to mark corner one
Dehydrated and woozy, soon we’ll be done
Set one, then three, then there’s only one more!
Have to set mine, where pin cushioned before!
With last corner set, just four hundredths from three
Put tansit in pack, neighbors walking toward me
So that’s where it goes, both neighbors surmise
That’s what we thought, why’d we hire you two guys
We load up the truck, then we drove out of sight
HAPPY SURVEYS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
That's a keeper.
Great,
thanks for sharing Bill,
chr.
John Giles
I miss John!! He use to email me quite a bit but I haven't heard hide nor hair from him for over 4 months now. I hope he is OK. 😐
John Giles
John was one of the more artistic posters. I miss him as well. I think he will just show up one day as though nothing had happened.
TTT
Glad to have John back participating. I'll take the liberty of bumping up his poem for the season.
John Giles...Stickied!!!
I stickied this for today because it's a great poem for you guys... 😀
TTT
Nicely Played Bill.
Thank you and a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
TTT
Thanks for posting that bill.
Here is another one I wrote a while back, though it's not survey related and is mushy somewhat, but in the spirit of Christmas.
I’m only Santa
My name is Santa Claus the kids they love me,
Every Christmas I put presents out underneath their tree.
I’d rather bring them happiness than candy and toys
But that’s the parent’s job for all those girls and boys
I got a letter a year ago I keep it folded in my pocket
Just a little short note from a girl with her Christmas locket
The note brought tears to my eyes it made me feel very sad
She sent this note to me asking for something for her dad:
“Dear Santa please don’t bring me any candy I don’t need a toy
All I want for Christmas this year is for my dad to feel joy
Momma passed away last year and he’s been real sad
Dear Santa please bring some happiness for my dad
Dear Santa thank you for the locket, I’m sending back to you
It has lost the happiness it held that my family once knew
Could you refill it with joy and send it to my dad
He feels all alone without mom he is so sad
Dear Santa this locket holds a picture of my mom and dad
When you open it you’ll see the happiness they had
That’s them on the left holding each other oh so tight
That’s me with a smile on my face there on the right
Dear Santa I haven’t seen dad smile since she passed away
I haven’t even heard him laugh since that sad day
Please Santa I have tried but how do I make him smile
I love him oh so much but I am just a child”
This child’s letter touch my heart I had to do something
Candy and toys would not do to fix this Childs feeling
I had to bring more than just some candy and a toy
I had to bring to both of them something to restore their joy
I have her letter in my pocket and tonight is Christmas Eve
I have a special present just for her as I wipe tears on my sleeve
Tonight I will deliver this gift to fill her dad with joy
She’s getting this special gift along with candy and a toy
I sneaked to her dads bed and woke him from his sleep
"Read this note from your daughter this locket is yours to keep
You’ve been so full of self pity since your wife passed away
You’ve neglected your child she feels so alone, sad, and afraid
Go to her room give her a hug she’s missed them for a while
Your wife is gone but she lives on through your loving child
Now be happy on this holiday and remember the goodness of the season
Your wife wants you to be happy and your daughters a good reason"
The tears welled up as he clutched the locket they had picked for their daughter
He realized life must go on he must be strong and she needed her loving father.
As he walked to her bed with the locket warming in his grasp
He brush aside her hair, wrapped it around and gently closed the clasp
He sat filled with joy as he studied his daughters’ grace
He could see her there so clearly in is daughters face
She was still with them living on through their daughter
He felt her there, realized his mistake, and was restored a joyous father
The joy filled him until he glowed as he joyously cried
"It’s time to be a father again, my wife, she never died
One more kiss on her forehead as he tucked her in so tight
Merry Christmas my daughter I love you so, everything is alright
I’m only Santa
Merry Christmas everyone
Bill
I stole that one! And sent it to me brother. And a few others on my email list. Thanks!
N
Bump
.
Bump
The annual bump. I saw that John posted, and remembered this thread.
The annual bump
Bump
Attaboy Bill. ?ÿKeep up the fine work.
TTT
Great job of keeping this alive, Bill.?ÿ Thanks for the reminder.
I have never overpriced a survey. Ever.
Per tradition, bump to top.
