When We Fall We Thunder

In our black and tiresome writ,

our right to work kicks back,

aches our whack, takes 

our breath in seams. We’re grateful

temp’ry, to not death walk,

candle shrouded, brow-beat n’ punished.

On rotten beams as bones we lean,

‘til we’re back with brand tattoos 

on strong arms, raising the alarm

‘cos under brace or baton,

When we fall, we thunder. Beware.

Our dust gets bloody everywhere.

Into every home we creep,

where fires burn, heart yearning,

fair’s all we seek. Cough a pittance ‘to

handkerchiefs you’d mek us wave.  

Grave-faced cage-encased, we drop beneath.

For you are tall, tower o’er us all,

brag dissidence decreed.

For warmth n’ life n’ industry we bleed,

face with bare fists drawn, y’ever growing

dusk swords drawn. Believe,

When we fall, we thunder. Beware.

Our dust gets bloody everywhere.