Franklin G. Aretz retired from Ford Motor Co. in 1980 after working for 31 years as a boiler operator at the company’s No. 1 Powerhouse plant in Dearborn, Mich. Aretz, who turned 81 on Jan. 8, comes from a UAW family. His brother, Edward, worked at Ford’s Iron Foundry for 40 years, as did their father, Carl. When he’s not writing, he likes to read and work in his garden.

'Labor'

We may thank almighty God for the gift of labor,
Yours, mine, his, hers, friend, foe, neighbor.
For work is the glue that binds us all together,
To crown success upon all that we endeavor.

With labor stationed at the throttle,
We need no genie in a bottle.
Relying on our own rough hands,
We scorn the wealth of other lands.

By honest toil we soon acquire,
Perhaps, not all our hearts desire,
Still, mother is able to cook three meals a day,
With money left over, the plumber and doctor to pay.

The children need books and raincoats and shoes on their feet.
So, what’s left for my sweetheart? Just a kiss on the cheek!
What should be done, can be done, must be done,
To lighten up this stressed-out globe and make it hum?

Rumors fly and remedies abound
From New York City to London Towne.
To calm the fear, reduce the trouble,
Allay the pain and clear the rubble,

It’s work we need, dear friends, and work alone,
To turn a pile of bricks into a home.
We lift together to set this grand Old World aright,
So peace may reign and happiness take flight.