Oyster Shucking - Factory Girls

In the slums of London, 11 year olds

look at the dark subdued eyes
and grubby faces of three children
not a trace of a smile detected

pretty little girls who work at
the cannery shucking oysters from
shells prised open with sharp knives

outside the factory gates
the year is 1911 the photographer
harvests hardship in monochrome

stark poverty stares back
lives drained in the same way the
photographic image is devoid of colour

smock dresses torn filthy and patched
ill fitting laced boots yet it’s their hands
those calloused little hands

wrapped in bandages knotted ties
around small gashed fingers
that hurt and cry out the most

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

Molly Malone, one of my favorite characters. I use her often in my poetry and story dear Chris. Most people don't know. Children labor was used in the USA too. The mines had the small children. Many old photos of the children working young and they would be killed by the dangerous work. You create visions and thoughts. My first job was when I was thirteen. I worked in a Ice cream factory. Now new laws. Hard in the USA for 16 years old and below to get a job. Powerful and worthwhile words and thoughts. People have forgot. Old world wasn't easy. Children were born to go to work. Thank you for sharing the outstanding poetry.
Coyote