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

[Fabian G. Franklin]

It was a hard life when child labor was not only allowed but depended upon by many poverty stricken families. The children couldn't go to school because they were needed to work in the fields, the sweatshops and refineries, the canneries and the stables. Thankfully, those days are behind us and even those children are gone. But it wasn't so long ago that kids still worked all day in the fields in summer and went back to school in fall. I was one of them. I remember I couldn't wait for school to start. School meant new shoes, a few new clothes and not having to be out in the fields at dawn. But we raised our own food and mother canned and froze anything not cooked right away. When I was ten or so we finally got running water and shortly after, an indoor toilet. I thought we had suddenly got rich.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fabian for your interesting share. Children certainly had a tough time a century ago. Thankfully it has improved a great deal, though not in all parts of the world sadly. Some way to go yet. Appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[Lorry]

Love those old photographs that show a previous world without technology, or pretty much anything else, other than smiles and happiness from within extreme poverty.
I have some books of Oscar Mazaroli and later David Peat, showing the same devastating poverty in and around Glasgow during and beyond the world wars.
Full of bleak buildings teetering at the edge of their lifespans, yet throughout, those mucky faces shine in smiles that we forget, people were surrounded in poverty and didn't know they were poor themselves because that's just how life was. Everyone was in the same boat and can you imagine the uproar these days from people going around slums looking for kids to photograph?
They'd be on a register quicker than speed itself...if they were lucky and didn't get lunched by the parents themselves!

[Chris Shaw]

Hello Lorry, yes, some of the photos do show laughing faces in the midst of poverty. It was the same for everyone. They were all in the same boat. This photo was a bit different. The photographer went Charles Dickens and it touched me on a different level. Laughed at your final comment. Go any where near kids these days you’ll get locked up. lol. How times have changed. Many thanks.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

Not too shabby. Well done. "friend".

[jacob erin-cilberto]

You are a master poet when it comes to description....artistry of words.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you j. that means alot. I do try with the imagery.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

you gave us the photograph in words...and we see it and the poverty most vividly....
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Pleased about that j. Thanks.

[John the Baptist]

Before child labor laws, children were often seen as sources of income and were put to work. In modern, industrialized countries, scenes like the poem depicts are rare, but in the less developed places it's probably not that uncommon.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you John for your thoughts. That was in the slums of London in1911. In some parts of the world. Still ongoing.

Chris

[Marie]

A very haunting poem on what life used to be like for little children, superbly captured through both word and horrifying visual detail. I could see clearly the three little girls as I read, Chris. They didn't have anything to smile about, bless them. What a very difficult job the had outside the factory gates, with a sharp implement which caused the pain through cuts. Child labour makes me cringe, Chris. These little darlings had no childhood and only horrible memories to look back on when they got older. No matter what year or what generation, the poor always suffer. It is heartbreaking to read of child labour continuing in some parts of the world today. How the poor suffer, bless them all. Thank you for sharing this very poignant sublime write, Chris. It is a wake-up call to those of us who read it to share what we have with those who have not and help to make life a little better for them. So thought provoking! Wonderful poem, dear Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for a lovely comprehensive review Marie. That was the slums of London in 1911. Sad to say child Labour still exists. Have a good weekend dear Marie.

Chris

[Marie]

It is so very sad that in a world which has advanced so much since 1911, that child labour is still in existence, dear Chris. Wishing you a very nice, pleasant and blessed weekend too...

[Throwing Romeo]

So powerfully haunting.
I fear child labor laws will
be challenged as American
life is choked back and becomes callously isolated.
This poetry is as close as language gets.
Thank you Chris for expressing the importance of being over having,

R.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks for stopping by Throwing Romeo and sharing your thoughts. All best wishes.

read moreMany thanks for stopping by Throwing Romeo and sharing your thoughts. All best wishes.

Chris

[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

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Coyote for your very interesting share. We have firgitten how hard our youngsters had it. In some parts of the world. They still do. I appreciate you my friend.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right dear Chris and you are welcome.