Hold on

In a mine, rails decline

To the rock beneath

From this hole, they steal the mountain's soul

on this grave hangs a wreath

To connect the cars, a man named Lars

recently wed

he stood between, to the engineer unseen,

as the engine moved ahead

In Lars haste, he was caught at the waist,

326 tons held back his blood,

a consummated marriage, to the other carriage

to release the pressure would unloose a flood

Coupled in the train, didn't affect his brain,

the coupler around him in a metallic hug

Knowing he would die, when open they did pry

the coupler they didn't dare unplug

While there was life, they sent for his wife,

to say his final farewell

As the cars parted, so his soul departed

as his top and bottom uncoupled as well

On one train car, a tagger's bar

was latter discovered

“made of earth is my berth”

could be seen with dirt covered

On the other, a graffiti brother,

could be read

“I'll ride on, when my load is gone”

did they refer to the cars or the dead?

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Mining is a dangerous business. I wonder whether this mining tragedy was based on fact or a fantastic imagination. Your stanzas are well written and include rhyme Soren. Always a pleasure to read you. You never disappoint. Have a very happy new year and all the best for 2024.

Chris

[Soren]

Thank you Chris for the read and most kind words. This was an accident that occurred just as written at a mine I was working at when I was young. Although I did not observe it I was close by.

[Chris Shaw]

That is really sad to know. It has stayed in your mind and I’m not surprised by that. The loss of a fellow worker a painful experience and highlighting the dangers of the job.