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It needed just an extra turn to make the bolt secure,

A few more minutes on the job and then the work was sure;

But he begrudged the extra turn, and when the task was through,

The man was back for more repairs in just a day or two.

Two men there are in every place, and one is only fair,

The other gives the extra turn to every bolt that's there;

One man is slip-shod in his work and eager to be quit,

The other never leaves a task until he's sure of it.

The difference 'twixt good and bad is not so very much,

A few more minutes at the task, an extra turn or touch,

A final test that all is right—and yet the men are few

Who seem to think it worth their while these extra things to do.

The poor man knows as well as does the good man how to work,

But one takes pride in every task, the other likes to shirk;

With just as little as he can, one seeks his pay to earn,

The good man always gives the bolt that clinching, extra turn.

In the poem "Clinching The Bolt" by Edgar A. Guest, the poet reflects on the difference between those who do their work diligently and take pride in their craftsmanship and those who are careless and seek shortcuts. Through the imagery of a bolt that needs an extra turn to be secure, Guest highlights the importance of attention to detail and thoroughness in one's work. The poem contrasts two types of individuals: the slip-shod worker who is eager to finish quickly and the diligent worker who goes the extra mile to ensure the task is completed properly. The poem suggests that the small extra efforts and additional time invested in a task can make a significant difference in the outcome. Guest emphasizes the importance of taking pride in one's work and being thorough, as it ultimately leads to better results and fewer repairs in the long run.

Edgar A. Guest. "Clinching The Bolt." Family Friend Poems, https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/clinching-the-bolt-by-edgar-albert-guest