The Pits

by John Smallshaw
(London, England)

At the coal face
Watching the cold face
Of the seam.
Underground..two mile
The face doesn't smile..
..it sweats.

"Let's go", a shout,
Drills in
Drills out
Charges set.
"Let's get out", another shout,
And then we're clear.

Then.

I see a gleam..another seam
Another day
Locked away
In the womb
Of the earth.