The Manual Blessing
The Manual Blessing is a humorous poem written by Gelett Burgess in 1907. It describes the various blessings that can be found in everyday life, from the simple pleasures of nature to the joys of human companionship. The poem is known for its playful tone and clever wordplay, making it a popular choice for readers looking for a lighthearted read.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1897 · Genre: Philosophical, Self-help, Inspirational · 1,340 words
First lines
Surely if there is one sharp, active sensation that, in this changeful life of ours, we never tire of, never outgrow, it is in the satisfaction of creative manual work. There is a conservation of pleasure as there is a conservation of energy, and our taste is being continually transmuted and evolved. One by one we outlive the joys of youth, the delights of physical exercise, the zest of travel, the beatitude of emotion, the singing raptures of love, passing from each to a more mature appeal, a more refined appetite, a subtler demand of the intellect or of the spirit. The familiar games lose their savour, the dance gives way to the drama, travel to the calmer investigation of homely miracles. We tire of seeing and begin to read, feasting peacefully at the banquet of the arts that other men have spread. This is, for many of us, what age means -- a giving up of active for passive pleasures when the old games lose their charm.
What this Textopian page supports
The Manual Blessing is listed on Textopian as a poem by Gelett Burgess, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical, Self-help, Inspirational, Essay, Historical
- Length: 1,340 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Manual Blessing by Gelett Burgess
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Manual Blessing?
- How does this poem by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Exaggeration by Gelett Burgess
- Caution by Gelett Burgess
- Danger by Gelett Burgess
- Absolute Age by Gelett Burgess
- Impossible by Gelett Burgess
- Piano Torture by Gelett Burgess
Genres
- Philosophical — Explores themes of creativity, satisfaction, and the human condition through manual work.
- Self-help — Advocates for manual work as a remedy for modern life's ailments and a path to personal fulfillment.
- Inspirational — Encourages readers to find joy and purpose in creative manual activities.
- Essay — Presents a reflective and discursive exploration of the value of manual labor.
Tags
humor · satire · poetry · whimsy · illustrated · nonsense · absurdism · lighthearted · playful · creative · imagination · fantasy