A Bouquet of Valentine Roses

 

 

(For the National Coal Mining Museum)

 

With the museum closed for the moment

It might seem there’s no light in the mine,

When, into the gloom, steps Saint Valentine

With a bouquet of roses to be sent.

For whom? For where? The miners’ lamp maybe,

For its glimmer of hope. But then there is

The crystal-bright singing of the canaries;

Or, perhaps, coalmining community

Could be marked in Parkinson’s Yard. Come rain,

Shine or Covid, horse-keepers understood

The needs of Fynn, Eric, Ernie and Bud.

A bouquet for colleagues ‘til we meet again?

And the penny counters deserve a spray

Of roses on Caphouse Valentine’s Day.

 

                                                                                                            D. A.

 

This sonnet is composed from lines supplied by staff and volunteers of the National Coal Mining Museum.

A Bouquet of Valentine Roses

 

A Bouquet of Valentine Roses

 

In January, Voices in the Coalshed celebrated hope by composing a poem by drawing on over 20 contributions.

For February, LOVE is the theme, but it’s love for something, rather than someone.

It could be love for an object, a role, an experience, a coming event, or whatever YOU would present A Bouquet of Valentine Roses to at the National Coal Mining Museum.

Appropriately, considering the theme, my aim is to compose a sonnet from suggestions received.

Please complete the following sentence:

I would give A Bouquet of Valentine Roses to…………………………….., because………………………………………..

Please send to:

voicesinthecoalshed@gmail.com

I look forward to reading what you send and using your words for this month’s video poem.

 

Dave Alton

Writer in Residence

National Coal Mining Museum