ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

This is one of my mining poems that was written for the Mt Kamble Festival.

It aways goes over well when I perform it. It is only short but it is one of my favourite poems.


IN THE DARK
© Zondrae King (Corrimal) 11/06

In the dark, I lie here resting with my lashes on my cheeks
and I know my love lies safely by my side.
As I linger in my bed I am awake with eyes closed tight.
waiting for the sun that is my daily guide.

While the greedy dawn has yet to open up her jealous fist
and to push her way across the morning sky
so the light can come to warm the earth and wake the sleeping town
as I think to rub the sleep out of my eye.

How, these heavy covers press on me, push hard against my chest.
Every breath becomes a labour for me now.
Then I reach to place one finger in the golden twisted curl
that I know is resting softly on her brow.

But the thing I find beside me, not my golden headed bride
but a tonne of coal that slipped down from the seam.
Was it thunder rolling that I heard, or trouble in the mine.
Oh I pray to God the sound was just a dream.

What is pressing ever downwards, crushing hard against my chest?
Not my blanket but a roof prop from the drive.
I can taste the crimson juice of life that oozes from my mouth.
Now I fear I will not make it out alive.

Am I never more to hear my children begging me to play
and never more to feel their warm embrace?
Will I sing not one more birthday song or sooth them in the night
and feel their cherished kisses on my face?

Now I know my eyes are open wide, still everything is black.
Not one golden ray to light a new days birth.
How I curse this coal, this mine, this life’s a mistress oh so hard.
In the end we all return into the earth.

For the mountain has no malice t’ward the men that it may crush
and no heart to sense the need for mans life spark.
I can feel a tear create a scar through coal dust on my face.
and I surrender now, my spirit in the dark.

Zondrae is it one you do from memory ?

It is haunting and would have the audience in silence i reckon.


Bob

G'day Bob,

Yes, I always recite, never read anymore.

I begin this one with my eyes closed and open them after the first stanza. Yes it does cause total silence. At the end I drop my head forward. I have also started patting my upper chest in a heartbeat for the final two lines (and hope the mike picks it up) and slow it down to a dead stop as I finish. Then I stand....and wait. A little bit of theatre is always good.

Zondrae I have not read this one before - it is stunning. I can well imagine it bringing your audience to tears

That's very well done Zondrae. Its good to see you back on the cyber page here giving us some of your writings. I missed them.

Very well written Zondrae, I would love to see you performing this.
Sue

I remember this one Zondrae. It is very touching. Possibly a typo in last stanza first line. I think you meant t'ward not t'word. Might be important if you put it in a comp.

Heather

Thank you Heather,
edit done.

Hey Zondrae do you have any performance photos ?


Would like to see how you present ?

Bob

I usually look like a stunned mullett.