How well I can remember when
I heard those sturdy Cornishmen
shuffle from that squeaky lift
to start another daily shift.
Drilling for those precious seams
setting all that metal free
dusty voices coughing spitting
rock against the pick was splitting.
Saw the father teach the son
way of life is surely gone
heavy boots that trod the floor
sounds like these I’ll hear no more.
Again the wheel will never turn
helmet lights no longer burn
lift shaft swings an empty frame
divested of the men who came.
So much tin could yet be found
buried there beneath the ground
money is the rich man’s slave
Crofty mine he would not save.
Silence, noisy as the grave
Greets me in my lonely cave
No reason now for me to stay
I’ll cut my loss and fly away.
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Author:
Maria Lees (
Offline) - Published: March 16th, 2017 11:17
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 56
Offline)
Comments3
You captured so well the poignant atmosphere when mines close Maria - living as you do close to the hub I too feel for a lost way of life. I look forward to reading more of your talented work with word.
Thanks MARIA ~ A beautiful tribute to the CORNISH TIN MINERS. I am a Scientist and I love to visit both working ~ worn out and abandoned mines. GOD has provided Planet Earth with awesome mineral resources yielding every element in the Peiodic Table from HYDROGEN (in water ) to URANIUM. Each of these elements (including TIN) plays a vital part in our everyday lives and we should treat each one with respect ! It is always a pity when the key factor (as you state in your poem) becomes ECONOMICS & PROFITABILITY and not the intrinsic value of the minerals themselves and the valuable elements (such as TIN) that can be obtained from them. In 2016 the World production of TIN was 300,000 tons 42% from China ~ 28% from Indonesia ~ 6% from Peru ~ perhaps in the future Cornwall's TIN will be profitable to min again ? Thanks for sharing ~ please check my POEMS ~ BRIAN (UK)
A beautiful nostalgic piece.
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