The Mines Poem by S Michael Stamper

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After a long day shoveling coal from the bowels of the Earth,
he returned to breathe the poisoned, cursed air.
His lungs are full of dust and debris,
not a good way to spend your life eternally.
The reason for doing such a dirty job
is to feed his family of six plus five.
The men who worked at the top of the shaft
made more money and lived a life without stress.
As he sat down to dinner with twenty-two eyes looking at him,
he prayed a simple prayer for the Lord to guide him:
"Dear Father, please keep my family in your grace from above,
for they don't know that I have the deadliest killer of men.
The Black Lung will take me back home to you,
but please, Lord, take care of the eyes that you see.
They only have me to feed them… can't you set them free? "
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S Michael Stamper
3/15/2026