Best Coal Mine Poems

Twenty-two miles to the Roslyn mine.
Two blocks beyond, ten headstones you'll find.
All dated the same the registry claims,
though the wind, the ice and acidified rain 
have disfigured and stolen the names of those souls.
My tears they might wash and reveal some of those
but are wasted....

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Caged in shadows
the canary breathes
amidst the clutter and din
of coal miners
who toil to extract
livelihoods
from veins underground
fortunes told
with its demise
too late for those who seek
fresh air and light
as families above ground
gather and wait
under a pale sun
for news
they feel in their veins
will come....

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They were working in a coal mine
six miles below the ground
We hit a pocket someone yelled
then the walls came tumbling down

They could not see through all that dust
as they scrambled to get out
The shaft was sealed with tons of rock
"we're trapped" came someones shout

Within three...

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Into the bowels of the earth we descend
Down into the pit of hell
Crawling on hands and knees to mine
This precious fuel they call coal

Now Petey and I we are almost men
He is ten and I'm eleven
Been working here, down this mine
These last two years and...

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C-anary in a coal mine 
H-as kept you from peril; 
R-emain fully vigilant 
I-n the coming coldest chill. 
S-ee the canary in a coal mine, 
T-o be safe from any harm; 
I-f you are always aware, 
N-o way will wound touch your arm. 
E-arly warning...

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She wandered like a gypsy to Wyoming,
Where she settled in and sojourned for a spell.
She found herself a billet at the Hog Ranch,
And son, there weren’t no high-tone clientele.
It was just a soiled dove’s privy crib
Where Martha Jane set up her chicken coop.
She was a...

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From The Coal Mine …

Liars …
 early prophets
 of impending doom

(The New Room: February, 2024)


The Moment Shared

We often forget
wrapped up 
in our own drama
— that everyone feels the same

(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)



Circle Game

The purpose of war
is peace
The guarantor of peace
— is war

(Dreamsleep: February, 2024)



Crucibles

Moss
hides the message
Whose...

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