Victoria Mills, West Vale, Elland

Cherry

By Ewan

Fri, 14 Oct 2022
  • 663 reads
3 comments
 

Between the trees, in the distance,

the far-off mills could be running,

weaving, spinning,

deafening girls and boys

women and men.

 

Shuttle and loom,

warp and weft,

words from a past

as distant as the mills

seen through the trees

and down the valley.

 

 

The mills are not silent,

Tesco tills ring, faux-Indian food cooks,

Daytime Get-rich Quick TV drama is shot in salerooms,

one empty unit is as blank

and startling as a missing eye-tooth.

Perhaps two score workers toil there

where once two hundred did.

 

 

But, from the woods,

above the valley,

far off mills could

still be humming:

it’s just a different

kind of bee.

 

 

 

Certificate U
Poem
Gathered Flowers
Miscellaneous

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I remember those places before they were renovated - a very sorry sight. I see they've even cleaned the brickwork too - it looks ok doesn't it!

(and a propos of nothing in particular there was a brilliant adaption of North and South on radio 4 a couple of weeks back - can really recommend if you haven't heard it)

Thank you Ewan - well deserved cherries

 

Submitted by celticman on

yes we romanitce these placed of toil and hardship. Empty spaces. Regrown in different ways. 

 

Submitted by Penny4athought on

The textile mills were the big companies in the 1900’s and there were many in the USA too, especially in the New England States like Massachusetts. I’m sure the stories of those who toiled in them would be unflattering to the companies. Repurposing those large buildings would make for interesting renovations but it also preserves the ghosts for history.  smiley

Penny4athought