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Top Pit
Then bent over on knees they stare at the black Raising their picks for another attack. A shout, a rumble, the roof starts to fall Some of them run but most have to crawl T’was only a hiccup, a small fall of dust The colliers return, in each other must trust. Some thought it fun, a bit of a joke But the exertion’s too much for one old bloke Spitting out flem, clearing his chest There is coal in his lung and blood on his vest.
I regret it now, and more so, in time, I cannot change the past, it’s passed, I accept I made mistakes, at last, I loved you, I did, still do, forever, I wish, oh how I wish, to still be, together, Life goes on, but me, I’m not represented, A shadow of myself, hollow and unscented.
Dave P
The Great Pretenders Ode to Government
Do you really think they care about us? Our dreams and our failures, His mates gather round to bear him away When the going gets tough. There’ll be darkness no more, only light We’re just the faceless from today that wait in the queue, He’ll have two years with his pigeons, two All they ever want years at the most is a vote from you. Two years of retirement before meeting his It’s only Tuesday and the cheese has all gone host. They stand by the mirror, He’ll suffice with lard, the jam’s for his son To practise their smile!!! Then out to the lavvie, its cold out the back The notice says vacancy and the next on the To make it so radiant, Quickly returning with a bucket of slack. list To fool and beguile. A fresh faced young youth never been kissed So those who believe He sits with a fag after making the fire All kinds of fun with all kinds of tricks In case you forgot Poking the coals to make it burn higher He’ll become one of them as they fight with With every new Government When Mary comes down it’ll be all nice and their picks. It’s the same old plot. warm Rose Wood And he’ll be long gone to work before dawn. The shift is over, the men turn to flight Sweat streaked bodies swarm to the light Gradually doors start to open letting out light Stripped in the bathhouse the soap and the Scratchcards and White Cider Letting out menfolk into the last of the night steam Scratchcards and white cider From every quarter they come, some needing Washes away the dust from the seam. Hair dye experiments gone wrong to rush Poverty in the first world Most come willingly, some needing a push. The men are all cheerful Everyone sings the same song. Tonight cannot wait They don’t say good morning there’s no need There’ll be stew in the belly School runs and lunch boxes for that And a pint on the slate. The young drink energy drinks A shrug is enough or a nod of the cap The old man and the pony stand not making Little heartbeats are racing They’ve all worked together, they’ve lived Brains too fast to think. a sound side by side Remembering the days when they worked Domestic abuse through alcohol They’re married to the pit with coal as their underground Dating Stella around lunchtime bride. Their dreams are endless, their thoughts are A house sitting on weeds profound Sun rising over the decline. There has been the first frost of winter, a And neither one stirs degree or two Security man at the Jobcentre As the wheels in the headstock start to go Their tattered clothes let the cold and damp And a man with no shoes round. through Trying to get his money early Their taut muscles reflect the odd ray of light Sandy Using a much used ruse. All silently sigh as the headstocks come into Tattooed arms are carrying sight. Unscented Bulging shopping bags The cage a double decker twelve up and The free hand is holding I could have done more, I could, twelve down A strange looking rolled fag. I should have done more, I should, The men they stand silent as the wheels go I belittled your dreams, a crime, The children are running wild round The steam whistle echoes through the still morning mist A young wife slumbers not knowing she’s been kissed A young man fills his flask from the tap And carefully carves the bread for his snap.
With bicycles across the roads There's no parental guidance To protect these young bones. The Police are cruising around With their thin blue line Clocking all the faces Waiting for the right time. The streets smell of weed Hot rocks in tracksuit tops Dealers hand over ten bags To whoever now stops. And a woman struggles, laden down, A baby growing inside her The shops are still open Scratchcards and white cider. © Steven Michael Pape 2016
The Allotment The gate looked old and broken, Half hidden from the eye, Overgrown with hedge and brambles, Which seemed to reach the sky, I paused to stop and wonder, Thoughts running through my mind, What lay beyond this garden gate That stood the test of time. I approached the gate with caution, Stinging nettles grew everywhere, Quite surprised the gate pushed open To a sight beyond compare, A sweet fragrance of ripened fruit Filled the air from an orchard floor Where wasps were busy feeding Inside rotten apple cores. A greenhouse stood in disrepair, Where a spider dangled from his lair, Broken pots and bamboo canes Littered the floor among broken panes, A ball of grass was on the move As a hedgehog awoke from his daily snooze, A trail of silver climbed the door Where a snail had been the night before. Outside the garden looked in disarray, Overgrown with weeds nature’s way, A circle of orange then caught my eye Where fires were lit years gone by, A spade left driven in the ground Left me wandering with a frown, Who left it there that final day When they locked the gate and walked away.
Thomas Hosker
It’s all fayre at the community hospital For the first time at a hospital event a group known as ‘Rocks and Frocks’ entertained the audience and were well received (pictured with the Chairman of the League Eileen Knight and President Mike Perry). The event raised over £600 for the League which is currently funding a project at the hospital to provide a new Refreshments Bar and Retail Shop, details of which will shortly be on display in the Reception area. The all raising funds for their deserving project is soon to be commenced and respective good causes. is in conjunction with a new RecepDerbyshire Health & Wellbeing Ser- tion area for patients visiting for treatment, the League working closevice took the opportunity to give ly with the Derbyshire Community advice. Heanor Ward from the hospital set up Health Services Foundation Trust. a bottle string competition which had Formally opened by Mike Perry, the soon sold out, lucky participants tak- Spring Fayre precedes a larger event on Saturday 6th August, the Garden ing away various types of popular drinks! Station presenter of Erewash Party when there will be a parade and Sound 96.8FM, Ian Perry kept every- displays of vehicles. one informed during the afternoon.
The Annual Spring Fayre took place at Ilkeston Hospital on Saturday 4th June when the League of Friends were hosts to a number of charities who are supportive of the League during the year. The Arena Community Centre, British Heart Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Ilkeston Lions, McMillan Cancer Care and the Rotary Club of Ilkeston all were present to supplement a Cake Stall, Tombola and Bric-a-Brac stalls
The radio station just for Erewash Start your day with Erewash Sound Breakfast Show with Paul Stacey, weekdays from 7am; followed by Morning Plus with David Allen, 9.30am.
Attract attention with an advert in Ilkeston Life. Get noticed for as little as £15. Ring Paul on 07539 808390 or email sales@ilkeston life.com to raise awareness of your company or organisation
Ilkeston Life, July 2016
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