When I was young, I knew this man
Quiet as he was, in most of his ways
He dreamed!
Though trapped in a land of coal fields
And hard times
He refused to give into the pain
Of his reality
He just dreamed anyway, often seeing
Himself far away from deep mines
And stripped hills
In places more beautiful; under circumstances
Fairer
Sometimes, it seemed to me
Wishing on a star aged the man early in life
Beyond years granted, as did working
In the lowest seams of coal unmasked!
Though the lines upon his face and hands
And the sparkle within his eyes, and smile
His story could be told if study was taken
One of misfortune mingled with hope of future
For if he could not overcome his plight in life
Then his dream, was someday in time
His children would!
And in that time, his loss in life would be his gain
In Heaven!
©Floyd Jett
08-06-09
Published: The Breathitt Advocate 08-27-09
Trials and Tribulations Column
[UPDATE 3/2/2012] - Visit MOUNTAIN POETS DISPLAY for more of Mr Jett's powerful poetry.
