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Poems written and donated by visitors to my web sites.
http://www.rogerphilpot.com
http://www.coal-miners-in-kentucky.com/

*Picture Art - By Bob Howard

Day From Night
I have a family to support
On very little pay,
But working in this coal mine
Is my only way.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

It is so black in here
The spaces are so small,
I have to get on my hands and knees
And even have to crawl.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

My wife is crying
As she washes the dirt out of my clothes,
I almost didn’t come back today
I wonder if she knows.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

The light on my helmet
Must always shine,
Or I may never get out of
This grave they call a mine.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

It is hard to breathe
This weight lies in my chest,
I may not be the perfect man
But I know I do my best.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.

Moving rock and working hard
That’s what coal miners do,
For my wife and family…
I do it all for you.

I can’t tell day from night
In this dark and dusty hole,
And although my back is aching
I pick and load the coal.
©Meloyde Denisov
All Rights Reserved

IF YOU COULD TRAP A SOUND

If you could trap a sound,
in the heart of Mother Earth
from the cool, depths underground

What would that sound be?
A laugh, a whisper, a spoken last word
a gasp, a supplication, a plea

If you could trap a vision by the eye, seen
would you espy the grasp of comfort
from one man to the other,
brothers in their faith . . . freed

If you could dispel the darkness, with a flame
Or feel inspiration ignited, by a prayer
You would have seen the angels that came
and moved amongst the men down there

Men of the Heartland
Miners of our Earth
Beckoned to His Homeland
Men of family--Men of worth!

Extolled in the human heart
is our connection with the Creator
like a star in the firmament, bright

And to the Heavens above we lift
our eyes through the darkness
until we connect with the Light

Dedicated to my Grandfather who loved roses
`*`Copyright 2006 Kathy Pippig Harris

The Kentucky Coal Mines

Way down deep inside the Kentucky coal mines,
A lot of brave men is what you’ll find
Who risk their lives by night and day,
For lots of hard work and very little pay

They risk their lives day in and day out,
For it’s their families they worry about
They worry about clothes and shoes for their feet,
They worry about bills and food to eat.

They don’t get enough pay for what they must do,
Some call them crazy others call them fools
If you ask them why, here’s what they will say,
There’s no better job with any better pay.

It’s dark in there so you miners beware,
Watch out for each other and miners take care
Keep your light shining; keep it at all times
So your way back out you’ll be able to find.

Let’s all say a prayer as they enter in,
God let them come out and see daylight again
God please watch over these brave Kentucky men.

© Brenda Graham
All Rights Reserved

Number Niner Miner:-by Steve O.-

A cold sad November day it will be the men of mine number nine who dig coal for a fee

Deep underground a shift of working men motoring with maps unfold

Some young, some old 99 a toll each section working this seam of black gold

Dangers of mining mother earth came up from the near past

With 1954 fresh in mind many thought it would be the last

Dig Dig number niner miner dig for that coal working hard in a deep dark hole

Start time each section every man knows his task different jobs but wore the same black mask

Each man a job well done machines power up electric motor hum

Belt line rolling loaded up cars are hauling by the ton

Mountaineers they are passed on from Father to son dust in the lungs mining in the blood

As loud as thunder What Was That?? A great wall of black up under took shaft

Where once stood leaving behind only a single light and miners hat

Dig Dig number niner miner dig for that coal working hard in a deep dark hole

Skill and lady luck 21 made it out with life on topside the waiting of miners, children and wife

Wednesday November 20, 1968 World news was made to date mine number nine took 78

Aground day into next mine officials A good word not to say

Family's and friends gather not far away a small church for news and pray

Dig Dig number niner miner dig for that coal You did your job now it's time to come home

After seal and mine close 19 good men will never leave the coal

God Bless each and every soul now Rest in Peace boys in the deep dark hole.

In memory of all the hard working coal miners
who were called to rest in #9 mine disaster
1954, 1968

©Steve Opyoke
03-0-20-2010
Used With Permission Of Author
All Rights Reserved

"Coal Miners Plight"

When I was young, I knew this man
Quiet as he was,in most of his ways
He dreamed!

Though trapped in a land of coal fields
And hard times He refused to give into the pain
Of his reality

He just dreamed anyway, often seeing
Himself far away from deep mines And stripped hills In places more beautiful; under circumstances Fairer

Sometimes, it seemed to me Wishing on a star aged the man early in life Beyond years granted, as did working In the lowest seams of coal unmasked!

Though the lines upon his face and hands
And the sparkle within his eyes, and smile
His story could be told if study was taken
One of misfortune mingled with hope of future

For if he could not overcome his plight in life
Then his dream, was someday in time
His children would! And in that time, his loss in life would be his gain
In Heaven!

©Floyd Jett
08-06-09
Used With Permission Of Author
All Rights Reserved

Published :The Breathitt Advocate 08-27-09
Trials and Tribulations Column

A Coal Miner's Prayer

Take a look at these hands, Lord,

They’re worn and rough.

My face scarred with coal marks,

My language is tough.

But you know in the heart, Lord,

Lies the soul of a man

Who toils at a living

That few men can stand

There’s sulphur and coal dust

And sweat on my brow.

To live like a rich man,

I’d never learn how.

But if you’ve got a corner

When my work is through,

I’d be mighty proud to live

Neighbors with you.

Each dawn as I rise, Lord,

I know all to well…

I face only one thing:

A pit filled with hell.

To scratch out a living

The best that I can.

But deep in this heart

Lies the soul of a man.

With black covered faces

And hard calloused hands,

We ride the dark tunnels,

Our work to begin.

To labor and toil

As we harvest the coal

We silently pray,

Lord, please harvest our souls

Just a corner in Heaven

When I’ve grown too old

And my back it won’t bend, Lord,

To shovel the coal.

Lift me out of the pit, Lord.

Where the sun never shines,

‘Cause it get mighty weary

Down there in the mine.

But I’d rather be me, Lord.

Though no riches I show,

Though tired and weary.

I’m just glad to know

When the Great Seal is broken

The pages will tell

That I’ve already spent

My time in hell.

©Brenda Grahm
All Rights Reserved

West Virginia Coal Miner

I’m up early and home late,

Providing for my family and doing whatever it takes.
I drive an hour to and from
To get to the mine to get my job done.

When I leave, I’m covered in coal, my face black, my body sore,
But I get up each morning and give even more.
I’m proud to be a West Virginia coal miner.
There’s not any other job here that is finer

I went to the mine today and met up with my friends,
We took that long man trip and our journey begins.
It was an ordinary day as we began to work
But suddenly the ground beneath us shook.
The gases were strong and as I began to fall

I thought of my family and wondered is this all?
Who will take Bobby out to play baseball?
And who will take Sally to the dance hall.
Who will hold my wife when she cry’s,
I wish I had time to say my good byes.
Tears roll down my coal covered face,

As my heart speeds up and begins to race.
All of a sudden I hear a sweet voice,
The mine lights up, and I hear a beautiful chorus.
I see an extended hand come down my way,
It was covered in coal dust and I wondered who is helping me this day.

I grab a hold of his hand and calm fills my soul,
I’m pulled from the ground and out of the coal.
Who is this man that would save me from this?
Who is this hero who gave me a kiss?
Who is this man covered in coal?
Who is this man with hands pierced with holes?
Who is this man that loves me this much,
Who pulled me out of this mine and away from this dust?

I begin to see as I’m pulled out of the mine,
My fellow miners and they are all fine.
They’re grinning and laughing not a worry in sight
They’re walking toward me and into the light.
What took you so long I heard from another?
We’ve been waiting on you, to get here my brother.
Don’t worry about your family they will be all right,
For the man that saved us is holding them tonight.

In memory of all the 29 coal miners who lost their lives
at the Upper Big Branch mine in Montcoal W.Va
©Brian M Snuffer
04-08--2010
Used With Permission Of Author
All Rights Reserved

I'M A Coal Miner

My shift just started its dark down here

There are three trapped miners

Back there in the rear

Their families are waiting

At the face of the mine

To see if these miners

Make it out this time

They’ve all made it out as the crowd starts to cheer

Why, we’ve not had an accident in over a year

Hands are clapping, the folks are sincere

Just what happened is still not clear

This coal mine is dreary but the pay is good,

I sure would leave here, if only I could

There are mouths to feed and bills to pay,

You’ve got to work somewhere

So I’ll just stay

JESUS loves me, in my heart, I know

He chose me to work down here in this coal

He made me strong

And gives me the courage

To be not afraid

To mine coal that he laid

I need overtime

To make an extra dollar

As I walk on deeper

This holes getting smaller

LORD, be my guiding light

As I work here tonight

When this shift is over

And I go outside

I will look forward

To that sweet sun so bright

Thank You for your blessings, in each and every way

These things I ask my Savior, each and everyday

I’m proud to tell you that I’m a coal miner

And the men I work with, couldn’t be finer

Working in this mine is a nature study

You’ve got to be safe and watch out

For your buddy

My back sure hurts

But I feel lucky

It’s a real good job

In the state of Kentucky

©Phyliss Mc Arthur Robinette
All Rights Reserved

Roger Philpot A Coal Miner's Son

*Picture art - By Bob Howard

Impressum

Widmung:
Poems dedicated to all families who have lost their love ones in mining accidents

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