Pen Portraits

 

Inspired by the National Coal Mining Museum’s recent exhibition, “Face to Face” a workshop was held on the theme of “Pen Portraits”, characters rendered in words. Below are two from that workshop.

 

Time Served

By

Chris New

 

Isn’t it sad when your old dad leaves the pit for the last time. Here he is, he is old and done for – but he’s alive after plenty of trauma down there wi them machines, those infernal creaking pit props and that conveyor belt demanding being filled up wi ‘coil’.

Yes, here he is, returning for his “leaving do” wi his mates, so he’s a damn site leaner, dressed in his smart gear, yet carrying that Davy lamp that’s served him well for all them years – and manager’s rewarded his well – in giving him his hard hat – because it is hard letting go as you decline into your retirement.

You can see it in his face.

Daily Grind

By

Linda Golding

 

Up with the larks and out to the job as the sun rises and his heart starts to sink. He wishes his day was not spent in the dark, but in sunshine and nature, maybe the park.

He collects all his tackle he knows will keep him safe, but will it? He’s hopeful, he trusts that fate will keep him safe as he descends into darkness and finds his place.

Crouching and grubby, his focus is clear. The food on his plate, his family so dear.

At the end of his shift he looks back on his time as he ascends to greet moonlight, sadly not sunshine.