The Backbone of the Mines

I have often wondered,

How hard it was then.

When my grandmother’s father lived there,

In the heart of Isaban.

Digging the coal,

Out of the ground.

All the men worked there,

At the mine across town.

The Company Store used them up,

With no care.

Sending them to work before sunrise,

All day breathing polluted air.

So many sick,

Dying way before their time.

Greed was rampant,

When those pompous men ran the mine.

No unions back then,

Until there was an uprising.

Yes Great Grandpa went to jail because of it,

Not too surprising.

If I had lived in those conditions and there was no other way,

I may have taken the steps like he did in order to “pave a new way.”

It wasn’t right the way they were treated,

Like slaves with no name.

Such a travesty of that time period,

Those greedy men had no shame.

Leaving before sunrise,

Coming home after sundown.

They expected them to put up with it,

As if they were all clowns.

He had to feed his family,

But could never make enough money.

So each week he grew deeper in debt,

To the almighty “Company”.

Not enough people talk,

About this part of history.

It seems no one is interested,

It's not such a mystery.

Yes, there was a time,

When there was serious coal miner’s cruelty.

So I decided to give all those who are long gone,

A heartfelt apology.

I wanted speak from the heart,

And give a voice for them that rings true.

To let them know their hard work,

Blood, sweat and tears were not lost in vain.

And for that,

I say “THANK YOU”…….

J'aime Rubio (Lady_Tenaz) Copyright 2012

Dedicated to my Great Grandfather Elijah Cline, all my family who worked in the mines of West Virginia and to all the miners throughout time who have been mistreated or died just trying to make a living for their families.....I will never forget you!