You and air
coal power stations exhale
their rancid breath drifts
until a breathful settles in your lungs and blood ways
A duo who have no need to meet

You
faceless
you exist

You
I hold lightly
you are frail.

You.
a crease across your head
exhausted but indignant
You take a stand

You
gaunt face, blurry vision
dropped foot

You
32 years
particulates and love so delicate
they pass from lungs to blood
you stand together

You
A child full of glee and full of glum.
Bronchitis is your game.
You are not yet meant to die

You
buses roar behind me and I miss you.
I didnt get to meet you.

You
first they pollute you
then they attempt to patch you up

You
You can’t work,
particulates and benefits
cuts deep in to your heart
you come to your feet

You
You waste your luxurious breath
to defend the system that kills you
Your early death is preventable

You
You’re just a lump of clay. Im tired of relating.
Ive got other work to do

You
Your terracotta skin still damp
Pollution particulates stick

You
a civil servant bends to meet the clay crowd
Confidence that the lights will not go out, he says
Coal hand outs thus needed he says

You
buses roar behind me and I miss you.
I didnt get to meet you.

You
first they pollute you
then they attempt to patch you up

You
you’ve got a lump on your head
from a knock in the dark
No cash for the meter last night
You join the silent restless crowd

You
You await this world
sustained by air your mother breathes
For you she takes a stand

You
West Burton and Cottam, Ratcliffe, Eggborough, Fiddlers Ferry, Aberthaw, Drax,
Their furnaces filling up your lungs
you are no mere number

You
fragile familiar bodies shudder
you, I might be you
you, you might be you

You
fragile familiar bodies shudder
you, I might be you
you, you might be you