Pleasley

Pleasley

Two brothers rise from the earth
defiant, proud
Mocking those who ordered
their destruction

Inside their body
their no longer beating hearts
wait, restored to health
but with no blood to pump

Do they remember
those distant days
when they raised
and lowered their mighty load

From the darkness below
where their burrows spread beneath
two counties?
Where the rich seam knows
nothing of man's borders

Days of steam, noise,
clanging machines dragging
the dusty black gold
into the sunlight;
so harshly banished
into history

Now all is quiet and still
except for birdsong,
the excited bark of dogs
and childrens' laughter
in a place of tranquility

Where two brothers who
have nothing to prove
face each other;
Reaching into the Derbyshire sky
with heads held high
 
They stand in glorious tribute
to long gone days
and the love that keeps them
defiant, proud
Mocking those who ordered
their destruction.


(C) Tim Fellows 2017

Dedicated everyone who has helped save and restore Pleasley Pit and to all the volunteers who keep the memory alive.