The Last of a Million Miners

So the adit is the last exit,

as Joe, the last of a million miners,

is clocking off today.

He'll join the ghosts

with coal-rimmed eyes

sitting around the ciggy-burned tables

of the last local pub.

But there's little room at the inn,

since the CIU and the Miners'

and the Labour Club closed

in 1989.

And the adit is the last obit,

since Joe, the last of a million miners,

is checking out today.

He'll join the dead,

with tear-reddened eyes,

hanging from the light socket's cable

in the last council house,

since Orgreave Street and Scargill Lane

made way for Ridley Road

in 1985.