To the memory of the twenty-nine miners who died unnecessarily within the Pike River coal mine in New Zealand.
THE TWENTY-NINE
Like blinded moles they waited for a rescue
that wasn't forthcoming or possible.
Mercifully it was that belief that kept them
alive, until a second explosion destroyed
them and any hope of survival.
Twenty-nine lives snuffed out through sheer
bloody neglect and the greed to make a buck.
The last we heard, the management have decided
to close the mine permanently, pity it wasn't done
before those brave men were killed.
Alison Cassidy
The twenty first century will gradually see the fazing out of coal mines all over the world. It is indeed ironic that it is has taken a tragedy of this proportion to close one of the first. Your poem is delivered in a very masculine voice with an emotional strength that makes it truly compelling. I particularly like the 'blinded moles' line. Love, Allie ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
The twenty first century will gradually see the fazing out of coal mines all over the world. It is indeed ironic that it is has taken a tragedy of this proportion to close one of the first. Your poem is delivered in a very masculine voice with an emotional strength that makes it truly compelling. I particularly like the 'blinded moles' line. Love, Allie ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Thanks for pointing out this negligence.