Deep in the hollers of Appalachia
So many unwritten laws and rules
Often perceived to hate Northerners
Outsiders can’t grasp the real truth
Coal then greed created the rift
Mineral rights bought for pennies on the dollar
Mining black coal for the outsider’s fortunes
Themselves scraping by in the holler
Appalachian folk don’t dislike Northerners
Contempt for being tricked out of what was fair
They killed themselves in those deep mines
Just to create more millionaires
The con men who stole their living are all dead and gone
Hill folk don’t begrudge an honest man his wealth
But despise an outsider who tricked their ancestors
Stealing fortunes and wasting miner’s health
JBentley
5-18-22
#Poetry
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Author:
JBentley (Pseudonym) (
Offline) - Published: July 30th, 2023 17:29
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 3
Offline)
Comments2
Bumped into you on the poetic parade today.
And despite my misgivings (I'm anti war and your photo isn't encouraging) decided to take a closer look anyway.
Of all your poems I read, I'd vote for this one, I think.
Good stuff.
Since I’ve actually seen war, I understand how lesser men sit in their protected places and criticize those of us who provide that protection.
Thank you for your understanding, but I wonder how many or your wars are really justified.......... I must just shut up - I should be able to identify a futile debate by now........
Still believe the coal country piece to be good work.
Thanks for your appreciation of my poem. As far as the wars, I didn’t start them. In Desert Shield/Storm Saddam needed to be stopped from controlling 3/5ths of the world’s oil. I volunteered for OIF due to our nation being attacked. If you will read some of my combat-related poetry you will see I was not happy with the way the war was prosecuted.
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