This Poem was Submitted By: Doris C. Swearingen On Date: 2000-05-17 09:14:10 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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This Caving In

This caving in of souls digging coal from the bowels of West Virginia earth holds the breath of mothers and wives holding back terrified tears. The dark rumble has mobilized the children. I stare at grim faced mountain men clustered like cattle in a storm. Aunt Annie's face says uncle Jake is there. I saw him yesterday, the great array of keys hanging from his belt loop the bow of his legs while spading the dark earth turning it up to yellow of sun. I hear the sound of Nettie Moore's groan before she slides to the ground. Noah is there, and the perfect way he whittled the great black bear. Something causes me to touch Annie's arm a sadness, a comfort, just something.

Copyright © May 2000 Doris C. Swearingen


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