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August 28, 2014

Poetry Friday--Happy Labor Day!

On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday. That holiday was named Labor Day. I wonder if, in August 1911, little Preston knew that on September 4 there would be a holiday celebrating his contribution to the labor force and to America's prosperity?

Caption: Five year old Preston, a young cartoner in Seacoast Canning Co., Factory #2. I saw him at work different times during the day--at 7 a.m., in the afternoon, and at 6 p.m., and he kept at it very faithfully for so young a worker. Location: Eastport, Maine. Photo by Lewis Wickes Hine taken August, 1911, courtesy Library of Congress.

Outside Seacoast Canning Co.

How old am I? I'm five-
years-old last week.
I'll hold up the tin and
the cart'n so you can
see it good. I do this:

I get the tin and I push
it in the cart'n. Get
another tin, push it in
a cart'n. You watchin'?
Get another tin, push...

Uh huh, that's what's I
do every day. But not
at all on Sunday, cause
that's the day we go to
church to save our souls.

© Diane Mayr, all rights reserved.

There is a short video available on the canning industry in Eastport. Created by the Maine Public Broadcasting Network, it contains several references to Hine. Access it here.

Now--go enjoy your Labor Day weekend, but first, visit with Jone at Check It Out for the Round-Up!

14 comments:

  1. You've captured "it" once again, Diane. Pride-in-work for 5-year olds should be limited to such things as crayon art hung by refrigerator magnets.

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  2. It breaks my heart to see how young some of the workers were!

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  3. I feel like a slacker compared to this little guy!

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  4. When you share these pictures, I wonder how they survived, Diane. I have a 5 year old granddaughter & compare-wow! I like that your poem was in a simple child's voice, and a "that's how it is" tone, no whine. Wonderful!

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  5. Another wonderful photo that speaks volumes. There is such poignancy in the "voice" you've created for the boy.

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  6. I'd love to share this with my students, Diane, when we study child labor during the Industrial Revolution. So evocative...so sad.

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  7. You've captured Preston's 5 year old spirit in this poem, Diane, especially the line: "You watchin'?" Thank goodness Labor Day was made a holiday - for all the Preston's of that time and for all of our sakes. = )

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  8. Oh man, that was just over 100 years ago. Love how you give those long-ago children a voice.

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  9. Diane, it is amazing how you can capture the feelings of each of your characters. This photo highlights the inequities of human rights during the early 1900s. I think this photo and poem would be a great pairing for the 5th graders who are studying human rights.

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  10. Oh, my. What a gift that you have given this child -- a voice.

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  11. Thanks everyone for your kind words! I apologize for not replying to you all individually. My daughter and her husband closed on a house this week and there's a whole lot of painting (and oven cleaning) going on!

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  12. Oh, I almost forgot--teachers feel free to share with your students if the poem fits. It makes me feel good to think that my work might engender some discussion! Many thanks.

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  13. Wonderful, Diane! I'll be sharing via my Facebook writer's page on Monday. Happy housewarming to your daughter and son-in-law! Nice that they will be close enough for you to help out.

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  14. Nice job with Preston's voice, Diane. Hine did an important service. I really should look him up.

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