Wanted- A Man

Business and the world are exacting in their demands upon us. They make no concessions to half-heartedness, incompetence, or plodding mediocrity. But for the man who has proved his worth and can do the exceptional things with originality and sound judgment, they are eagerly watchful and have rich rewards.

                               

    You say big corporations’ scheme

  To keep a fellow down;

  They drive him, shame him, starve him too

  If he so much as frown.

  God knows I hold no brief for them;

  Still, come with me to-day

  And watch those fat directors meet,

  For this is what they say:

        "In all our force not one to take

      The new work that we plan!

      In all the thousand men we've hired

      Where shall we find a man?"

    The world is shabby in the way

  It treats a fellow too;

  It just endures him while he works,

  And kicks him when he's through.

  It's ruthless, yes; let him make good,

  Or else it grabs its broom

  And grumbles: "What a clutter's here!

  We can't have this. Make room!"

        And out he goes. It says, "Can bread

      Be made from mouldy bran?

      The men come swarming here in droves,

      But where'll I find a man?"

    Yes, life is hard. But all the same

  It seeks the man who's best.

  Its grudging makes the prizes big;

  The obstacle's a test.

  Don't ask to find the pathway smooth,

  To march to fife and drum;

  The plum-tree will not come to you;

  Jack Horner, hunt the plum.

        The eyes of life are yearning, sad,

      As humankind they scan.

      She says, "Oh, there are men enough,

      But where'll I find a man?"

By St. Clair Adams.