Coveted.
When half the world was blank on maps,
when people still believed in magic,
sounds became muffled
as underground tappings sprung up
in the hills and holes appeared.
Feet vanished for what seemed like days
then flat mining caps
full of dust, topping faces of loot-happy
smiles shuffled off hazily
clutching large seeds of glimmery gold.
White-knuckled black
fists clutched closely to ribs dead weight
of their findings, bags
of pure alchemy, stones which changed
when kindled in home-made
dirt-hearths, to the hot comfort of flame
keeping away winter's cold.
Nuggets lost beneath time became finds
worth more than diamonds
when, in days of old, warmth could save
peasants' work-worn lives.
Yes, coveted then was possession of coal.
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Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: February 28th, 2017 06:22
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 33
Offline)
Comments9
Very good write of times now long gone. A dynasty of good workers, great community spirit gone forever.
I have to wonder if or how many coal miners hit veins of gold...it could happen? nice story reminds me of one I wrote Gold rush. Ty Fay goodin'
Wonderfully written poem
You certainly know how to put words together Fay - great.
You hit a gold streak with this one Fay!
A great write, full of history, and description of what was a very dangerous occupation. Without the miners the world would be a much different place, maybe still with maps half empty. Progress would certainly have been much slower. Loved this one. - Phil A.
Thanks FAY and a wonderful tribute to COAL. It is a complex material ~ consisting mainly of carbon which is why it is such a good and practical solid fuel ! It is also a source of chemicals Coal gas ~ Coke ~ Benzene ~ Naphthalene (moth balls !) and Phenol etc. These are important chemicals for the synthesis of drugs ~ plastics etc. It is a shame to just burn it ! BRIAN
Appreciated more by those of us who used wood and coal that we gathered to make our fires. Great tribute. Many of those men gave their lives.
Clutching large seeds of glimmery gold they have brought half of this world in to alive condition by working hard to the hot comfort of flame keeping away winter's cold. Their possession is wonderful really. This poem is a beautiful tribute poem.
Thank you dear friends for all your wonderful and encouraging comments on the above poem of tribute to miners.
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