FULL CIRCLE



Grey smoke from chimneys
staining the brick work
of back to back houses
where washing hangs limply
on string over alleys.

Grubby faced children
skipping on cobbles
sitting on doorsteps
waiting for fathers
in pits down below.

Fathers emerging
black faced and weary
straight to the bath tub
as coals in the boilers
send grey smoke from chimneys.