"The Amateurs" by Edgar A. Guest

[K2PI]

I've been keeping the attached Poem on the wall of my shack for 20 years or so.  I've not seen it posted anywhere in all that time, and I thought I'd share it with you.
 
My understanding is that Edgar Guest was a rather prolific writer of what could be termed "poetry for the common man".  He made no pretensions to being anything but passing fair at rhyme.  However, his collected poetry and various verses for many national magazines gained him a good amount of fame--he was the Norman Rockwell of poetry in his day.  His poetry is all over the internet, and his poems on family life and things American are very worthwhile reading.
 
Remember, this was written by a non-Ham who somehow understood what our hobby is about. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  
 
73, Harv, K2PI
 
 
                    The Amateurs

 There’s something about them you’ve got to admire,
They work for the love of the task, not for the hire.
Every one of them’s blessed with the heart of a boy!
What’s a job to the drudge unto them is a joy.
While we to our regular schedules are keeping,
the amateurs do without eating or sleeping.

They worry their wives since so short is the day –
they don’t get to bed when they should, but they stay
sending calls on the air; catching calls from afar –
and I think as I hear them how patient they are!
How much better we’d work here if only we knew it
in that Amateur spirit of wanting to do it.
 
Professionals weary sometimes and they shirk,
since they’re paid to perform they look on it as work.
They begin with reluctance,
they’re glad when they’re through,
and they measure in money whatever they do.
But the Amateur never begrudges a minute,
he goes to the job for the joy that is in it.

So here’s to the Amateurs – brave hearted throng –
though short be their waves, may their lives all be long.
May the wisdom they gain and the joys which they reap
make up for the nights when they go without sleep.
And may we – in their spirit and deep understanding of
work and its joy – keep our Amateur standing!
 

                       Edgar A. Guest
                           1934