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Open Poetry #48
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MICHELMAS
Member
since 2012-02-15
Posts 305
Lancashire England

0 posted 2012-02-29 04:44 AM



Satanic Mills

Standing alone as night falls, just like Autumn leaves
Across the vale, the owl calls, to me in vain
And somewhere there behind a curtain drawn she grieves
And where once a water wheel made flour from the grain
And sparking clogs to light the early morning mist
The gas lights popping as in welcome to the day
Small boy holding, one penny, clenched within his fist
Along cobbles smooth, each day, workers tread the way
Below the bridge the river flows, the trout long gone
And sideways rain, the bones of each to chill and freeze
Their fingers sore from looms, and work that's never done
And from top house, the smell of beef their tummies tease
A distant past, the chimneys and the mills now gone
Neath granite stones they lie, in peace that they have won.

© Copyright 2012 MICHAEL HUGHES - All Rights Reserved
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
1 posted 2012-02-29 05:29 AM


Sad history of inhumanity, but exquisitely told, with intense, sensitive poignancy and great art.  I can see it in browns and old golds and magical detail.  If I could paint, I would be inspired to paint this.  

Owl

Grinch
Member Elite
since 2005-12-31
Posts 2929
Whoville
2 posted 2012-02-29 07:35 AM


Sounds like one of the B's

Blackburn, Burnley, Bolton...

Nice poem.

MICHELMAS
Member
since 2012-02-15
Posts 305
Lancashire England
3 posted 2012-02-29 07:45 AM


well well Grinch....good guess nearly right
it is Bury...with specific reference being Summerseat...and the cotton mills in the Irwell valley
Michael

Grinch
Member Elite
since 2005-12-31
Posts 2929
Whoville
4 posted 2012-02-29 09:05 AM


I almost added Bury to the list.

I don't think I've ever been to Summerseat though - I'll have to remedy that.


MICHELMAS
Member
since 2012-02-15
Posts 305
Lancashire England
5 posted 2012-02-29 09:12 AM


where the steam trains still run...
ice
Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404
Pennsylvania
6 posted 2012-02-29 09:56 AM


MICHELMAS
Our modern Charles Dickens.
I am priviledged to read you.
You bring the past into the now.
I like your style, and enjoy reading your poems.

"It is difficult
to get the news from poems
yet men die miserably every day
for lack of what is found there"
(William Carlos Williams)

MICHELMAS
Member
since 2012-02-15
Posts 305
Lancashire England
7 posted 2012-03-01 03:55 AM


Thanks for the comments
Ice I think my Old Curiosity style appeals but fear you may have far too Great Expectations of me.....Dickens is pushing it a bit
Michael

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