Hardship

[dafydd manton]

You thought life was hard,
Didn't you?
You thought it was tough
As you crawled out of bed this morning
At three.
You cursed the cold, the rain,
Everything.
Next time, boy, look at them.
Look at the hard-faced men
As they get on the bus...
Look at the tired, bloodshot eyes,
The broken finger-nails,
The blue-scarred hands.

Was it really so hard?
Was it so tough to sit there
Watching the sun rise behind the winding gear?
Waiting for the men
Who toil underground?
Not for them the birdsong,
Nor the red-tinged clouds at dawn.
Only the black, dusty hollow
Of the pit.

Was it really so hard?
Are you really so tough?
Did you really think?
Did you?

[Delta40]

How green was my valley!

[dafydd manton]

Oddly, no, it was in South Yorkshire! Manvers Main Colliery, Barnsley, four thirty on a Thursday morning, 1988. I wonder why I scribbled that on the bottom?

[Hawkman]

It's very good Dafydd, Really powerful. Are there any pits still working? Can't be many these days. But your words took me back and I could see the men with their bloodshot eyes and blue stained hands. Outstanding mate.

Best. H

[Bar22do]

This is so poignant; your humane, compassionate look at the miners' hard routine aptly shakes off one's tendency to complain or leniently indulge...

A strong, fine contribution,

thanks a lot -

Bar

[dafydd manton]

Thanks, Hawk. I have to admit there is a certain influence from Max Boyce's "Duw it's Hard", but then I added my own observations. There's only 1 pit left in Soth Yorks, that I know of, somewhere near Doncaster, but that's it. Shame in same ways, but a good thing in others.

[Hawkman]

What ever happened to Max, "I was there," Boyce? he was really good as I remember.

[dafydd manton]

Still touring, but rarely comes in to England. Saw him at Llangollen last year, and we had a bit of a chat after the gig. Still as sharp as ever, incredibly funny, I laughed so much it hurt! I think he's got the sense to realise that his humour is a very Welsh/Rugby thing, and doesn't travel quite as well outside Wales. He's also doing quite a lot with folk music - got an OBE for it! Man's a giant!

Bar - thank you so much. Your comments are always much appreciated.

[PrinceMyshkin]

How strong, and clear, and compassionate!

[dafydd manton]

I've just added a new line, after line 11. I don't know how I could have overlooked it. Sorry!

[Bar22do]

I would leave the "bloodshut eyes" free, without the next line... for it's more than fear they reflect, IMMO...

[dafydd manton]

Thanks, Bar, (no wonder Hawk always puts "sweet Bar"), I have a feeling you're right after all. I'll go back and change it, before I try and get too clever and lose the ellipsis. Thanks so much for your input - I'm flattered that you've taken the time.

[Hawkman]

I agree with Bar on this one, Dafydd. Honestly I don't think you need it but it doesn't spoil the poem. H

[dafydd manton]

If two of the greatest tours de force on the Forum suggest something, how much of a fool would I need to be to ignore it? (Don't answer that in public, please!) It's been done. A thousand thanks to both of you.

[hillwalker]

A very powerful piece, and the simple, matter-of-fact language you use grounds the whole message in reality rather than on top of some soap-box. This is a good one, daf, up there with that kid sitting all alone by her push-chair. I think you've found one of your 'genres' - H

[hack]

Thanks for the look "down the hole".
As hard a lot as ever drew breath.
...peace...

[dafydd manton]

Thank you all for all the positive comments, much appreciated.

Hill - gasp! I am genuinely shocked! I'll work on it! Thanks for the encouragement.

[Haunted]

Next time I b*tch about my life I'll think back to this poem. Thanks Dafy.

[Jerrybaldy]

There is always somebody worse off, I was always told. I wonder if someone watched the miners in envy?
A good tale Daf, of true hard men.
cheers
Jerry

[dafydd manton]

Thanks, Haunted and Jerry. Very special men indeed, I'd say!

[Maryd.]

A very compassionate, piece of writing sir. Well done.

[dafydd manton]

Thanks, Mary. I appreciate it immensely.