A Better Way Poem by Terry Collett

There's a better way of digging
Than that, Uncle said, taking the
Spade from your hands and showing
You with a craftsman's touch how
It should be done. You watched in
Wonder how with ease and skill he'd
Made the trench begin to shape far
More quickly than your frail work
Produced. He handed you back the
Spade and you noticed the calluses
That years of using spades and other
Workman's tools had made. He took
Hold of your hand and turned it over,
Gazed intently and smiled and shook
His head. Such lily-white hands were
Made for pen not spade or hoe or rake,
He said, finish what's started, lad, then
Return to your studies and pen instead.