Young Bert by Harry Riley Poem by David Page- aka Harry Riley

From the coal-black streets of Eastwood...Dark and Dreary
A mother's voice rose sharply...Oh, so weary!
Yo'll not go down the pit, my son, your work-life will be brighter! '
Adding grimly...
'Tha's not cast in the image of thy rough-and-ready feyther
Tha was born to be a lover, not a beer-swilling collier'
And yet... with fragile health, he would agree.
Her oft repeated words were meant to be.

Whilst ambling through the cornfields: goldspun, airy
From Haggs Farm there came such laughter...vibrant, quick,
and cheery.
Bert found his eager soulmate's there within...
Beauteous, bewitching, Jessie Chambers and her kin.

Soon forgotten, pithead's loud industrial roar
As this new life beckoned, clawing at his door!
A new life, full of music. drama, intelectual reach.
For such an inspirational student as Young Lawrence
Of The Breach!
***