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Poem
February 9, 1921
The Cordele Dispatch And Daily Sentinel
Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia
What is this article about?
A motivational poem using the metaphor of a locomotive needing sand for traction on slippery rails to illustrate the importance of grit and determination in overcoming life's challenges and achieving success.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
SAND.
(By Dr. Boger, Director of Personnel, The Electric Vacuum Cleaner Co., Cleveland, Ohio.)
I saw a locomotive in the railroad yard one day;
It was standing in the roundhouse where the locomotives stay.
It was panting for the journey, it was coaled and fully manned.
And it had a box the fireman was filling full of sand.
It appears that locomotives cannot always get a grip
On the slender iron pavements, 'cause the wheels are apt to slip.
So when they reach a slippery spot their tactics they command
And to get a grip upon the rails they sprinkle them with sand.
It's about this way in traveling along life's slippery track
If your load is rather heavy and you're always sliding back.
Then if a common locomotive you completely understand,
You'll provide yourself in starting with a good supply of sand.
If you strike some frigid weather and discover to your cost,
That you are liable to slip on a heavy coat of frost,
Then some prompt decided action will be called into command
And you'll slip away to the bottom if you haven't any sand.
If you strike some heavy weather and you have an upper grade,
And if those who have gone before you have the rails quite slippery made,
If you ever expect to reach the summit of the upper table land
You'll find you'll have to do it with a liberal use of sand.
You can reach any station on life's schedule seen
If there's fire beneath the boiler of ambition's strong machine;
And you'll reach a place called Flushtown at a rate of speed that's grand
If for all the slippery places you've got a good supply of SAND.
(By Dr. Boger, Director of Personnel, The Electric Vacuum Cleaner Co., Cleveland, Ohio.)
I saw a locomotive in the railroad yard one day;
It was standing in the roundhouse where the locomotives stay.
It was panting for the journey, it was coaled and fully manned.
And it had a box the fireman was filling full of sand.
It appears that locomotives cannot always get a grip
On the slender iron pavements, 'cause the wheels are apt to slip.
So when they reach a slippery spot their tactics they command
And to get a grip upon the rails they sprinkle them with sand.
It's about this way in traveling along life's slippery track
If your load is rather heavy and you're always sliding back.
Then if a common locomotive you completely understand,
You'll provide yourself in starting with a good supply of sand.
If you strike some frigid weather and discover to your cost,
That you are liable to slip on a heavy coat of frost,
Then some prompt decided action will be called into command
And you'll slip away to the bottom if you haven't any sand.
If you strike some heavy weather and you have an upper grade,
And if those who have gone before you have the rails quite slippery made,
If you ever expect to reach the summit of the upper table land
You'll find you'll have to do it with a liberal use of sand.
You can reach any station on life's schedule seen
If there's fire beneath the boiler of ambition's strong machine;
And you'll reach a place called Flushtown at a rate of speed that's grand
If for all the slippery places you've got a good supply of SAND.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Locomotive Metaphor
Life Challenges
Grit Perseverance
Sand Grip
Motivational Verse
Ambition Success
What entities or persons were involved?
By Dr. Boger, Director Of Personnel, The Electric Vacuum Cleaner Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
Poem Details
Title
Sand.
Author
By Dr. Boger, Director Of Personnel, The Electric Vacuum Cleaner Co., Cleveland, Ohio.
Subject
Metaphor For Perseverance In Life
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
It's About This Way In Traveling Along Life's Slippery Track
If Your Load Is Rather Heavy And You're Always Sliding Back.
Then If A Common Locomotive You Completely Understand,
You'll Provide Yourself In Starting With A Good Supply Of Sand.
You Can Reach Any Station On Life's Schedule Seen
If There's Fire Beneath The Boiler Of Ambition's Strong Machine;
And You'll Reach A Place Called Flushtown At A Rate Of Speed That's Grand
If For All The Slippery Places You've Got A Good Supply Of Sand.