The Black Seam  

 

Palm presses palm 

Swallow dust and the hard roundness of tears 

Streamer the earth, riddle the ground. 

 

Remember that landscape, wheeled and pitted, 

Held together by silhouettes 

Pinned to a tattered skyline. 

 

In the underworld, veins pulsed,

Threaded with pride and scars, 

Broken hearts and firedamp.  

 

The wolf flames leapt ahead on pyrite walls 

Men absorbed rock absorbed men 

Coal light danced in their eyes. 

 

Remember those names, hands held and heads high, 

Drawn together by black seams, 

Embroidered into this land. 

 

Palm presses palm 

Swallow dust and the hard roundness of tears 

Streamer the earth, riddle the ground.