BERSHAM

We wonder amongst the ruins

Rusting trucks and cutting gear

Severed cables protruding

From weathered walls

And the pit head wheel

Still proud above us

Preserved temporarily

By municipal crumbs

And volunteer labour

 

Only open occasionally

For public inspection

We whisper questions

Reverentially

Here the miners lamps

Here the cramped cage

In which they descended

And usually ascended

But not always

Not always

 

This is no polished museum

With modern facilities

Entry to the winding house

Is prohibited

Because of asbestos

We take photographs

Respectfully

Buy souvenir mugs

Hand painted lovingly

Feel anger rising

Unexpectedly.