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Song For the Coal Miner

The coal miner descends
into the mine much like
his father and his father’s father
it’s his way of life.

Into the mine much like
the others, he goes into darkness
it’s his way of life
as they carve into mountains.

With the others he goes into darkness
far below a world of light
and they carve into mountains
as he finds veins of coal.

Far below a world of light
the dust he breathes coats his lungs
as he finds veins of coal
to be taken away.

The dust he breathes coats his lungs
as he gives his life for bounties
to be taken away
like dreams that fade as a child.

As he gives his life for bounties
his wife’s heart yearns for a better life
like dreams that fade as a child
but her visions take wing


His wife’s heart yearns for a better life
far beyond mine shafts and scarred hills
but her visions take wing
as the coal miner descends.

Copyright © Mike Bayles

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