Found Absent.
Those Cornish pit-boys who made an escape
by stowing away in boats and enduring more
before hunger and fear drove them to pursue
help were often chained when found until port.
Sapped youth breathing coal dust knew pits
brought no relief to repressed working people.
Cheeriness left faces of labouring children when
led to belief that obedience preceded better zeal.
Caught and affronted their childhood ended
in grey automation by trudging mining floors.
Obsolete days fought with untouched intention
to doff clogs, wash off black and crawl no more.
Gained by stealth nearby docks gave children
sure ways to freedom but accession was vague.
Timetables to boys' ready minds got deciphered
for runaways knew somewhere sat the right train.
By morning shift more lads were found absent
as read from rota capped faces saw gaps in line.
Some felt the hold toil's pittance paid to underage
but others wearily ready saw the need for goodbye.
But desperate pit-boys who made an escape
by stowing away in boats and enduring more
before hunger and dread drove them to decks
were shamefully handled after docking at port.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: November 29th, 2017 06:08
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 49
Offline)
Comments8
I enjoyed this Fay. My grandfather was a coal miner. He used to tell some harrowing stories of things which happened "down the pit" as they would call it - Syd
as a man from Somerset I am well aware of the authenticity about this poem. filled with everything you could wish for in a poem and more. a great and rare write.
A fine write Fay. I read some document from a place of employment of years ago. Things like - work will be 7am to 7pm. Lunch is 30mins, during which work will on no account cease.
A rota is drawn up for collection of coal from the outside shed for the office fireplace, etc.
A friend recently moaned that he worked 'late' until 4.30pm, then did not even have to wait for a bus, as he drove home. Luxury!
I went down a couple of mines many years back as part of my job following claims for injury - not a place I would wish to return so I have nothing but admiration for those who worked in them (and those who still do). This is a super work about them.
Thanks for reminding us FAY of the price paid in the PAST for cheap ENERGY ! The UNIONS did a lot to remove "Child Labour" in the UK and improve working conditions for Adults ! Today we mostly use ELECTRICITY but give scant to how it is produced ! There is always a high "human price" to be paid for primary sources of ENERGY ~ Coal ~ Oil ~ Gas but Nuclear Wind Power & Hydroelectricity are safer and cleaner. Your poem made me very sad and reminded me of todays refugees who often perish by escaping in BOATS ! Beautiful Structure but a sad Subject ! Please check my "QUICKIES" and please add a Poem to my FUSION on CHRISTMAS ~ Yours as ever BRIAN
The history of humanity is grim, indeed! Well expressed here, Fay, in all its brutality.
A picture of a thousand words and a poem that paints a picture!
Incredible, Fay, well done!
I don't want to comment on the subject, there would not be enough space! It was wrong and inhuman!
Very good write Fay showing the sadness and horror that was once (and may be still is (sweatshops)) part of an awful norm.
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