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The Price of Coal

The mining villages of Wales are steeped in history and tales of sons and fathers, duty-bound who earned a pittance underground. For generations miners toiled with picks and shovels, faces soiled. Their throats parched dry and fingers raw, black gold the aim, etched scars the score. And mountains whisper tales of men who failed to re-emerge again. Or nevermore could breathe with ease; Sad victims of black lung disease. In valleys shaped by pride and grit within the black and hostile pit, black powder prowled and took its prey but brotherhood did not give way. 11/11/18 'Black powder poetry contest' : Sponsored by Anthony Slausen Your Choice (3), sponsored by Brian Strand

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018




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Date: 2/15/2020 8:46:00 AM
Well and sensitively described, Wendy How ironic that such a hostile environment could become the home of such rich culture and brotherhood.
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Date: 2/14/2020 2:45:00 PM
Wendy, congrats on your finely crafted tribute to the miners who sacrificed so much, yet clung together as brothers ~ John
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Date: 2/13/2020 8:24:00 PM
Hi Wendy, Through all the challenges of sickness etc., the community is a model of what community is. Congratulations! Thank you for highlighting this story.
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Date: 1/17/2019 7:39:00 PM
I too am happy to read your poem again, Wendy, and congratulations on your fine placement in this contest! Hugs, Sandra
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Date: 1/17/2019 9:47:00 AM
Wendy, what a wonderful tribute to the generations of hard working miners! Congrats for your win on mile 11 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon contest. By continuing to place in the contest you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark
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Date: 12/8/2018 3:09:00 PM
"Brotherhood did not give way" What a read, this is a world class poem. Kind regards. EM
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Date: 12/7/2018 9:53:00 AM
Beautiful, beautiful, so beautiful and as always, your pen writes in the language of kings through a naturally flowing ink.
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Date: 11/24/2018 10:47:00 PM
back with congrats! :)
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Date: 11/23/2018 7:16:00 PM
Wonderful write, Wendy, congratulations on your win
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Date: 11/23/2018 6:36:00 AM
Superbly penned poem, Wendy. Congrats on your win.
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Date: 11/19/2018 2:34:00 PM
Very sad and powerful, and so emotionally well-written, Wendy! Congratulations on your First Place win! Hugs, Sandra
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Date: 11/18/2018 11:40:00 AM
Oh Wendy, your poem immortalizes those souls who had to live and die such a harsh life to feed their families! It is factual, compassionate and masterfully written! I am Faving it! Congratulations on your top win with this deserving write! xxoo : )
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Date: 11/18/2018 10:49:00 AM
Excellent poem, Wendy!:-) Congratulations on your fine placement!
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Date: 11/18/2018 6:59:00 AM
Love this one Wendy, a great tribute to the many who perished underground. There weren't many villages that didn't suffer some loss. Even Aberfan where many children lost their lives. I wrote a poem about it after visiting there a couple of years ago. Good luck in the contest. Tom.
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Date: 11/15/2018 1:49:00 PM
Gorgeousness!!!
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Date: 11/12/2018 8:46:00 AM
Wow! An amazing poem, Wendy. You tell of the miners hardships in the beauty of your poetic verses. Moving and superb poetry. Best wishes for a win.. ~Susan
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Date: 11/11/2018 3:08:00 PM
Such an amazing idea you had toward this contest, good luck my friend!
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Wendy Watson
Date: 11/11/2018 3:13:00 PM
That's kind of you,Caren. Well done for being so prompt to give feedback to bamboozled poets too!

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