Liam McCoppin - Old Man Walking

I spy an old man walking towards me through the dust
On his back a tweed jacket, his boots the colour of rust
He falls in front of me holding his chest, a wide hole in his bust
The only sounds that can be heard are tree leaves, rustling in a gust

'Paddy Timms' says his wallet, a whole 67 years old
A carpentor turned miner, with a lust for all thing gold
His license remains, not taken and sold
Off poor Paddy's body, which now lies cold

I leave this place, this cursed land
Paddy's body now buried amongst the red sand
Such deaths will be stopped, make a stand
As I travel, into the bloody sky, I swear this by my hand

Potential extra paragraph:

The town is silent, and has been for many a year
They came in a rush, for gold was found here
And left like they came, gold no longer near
Leaving structures, homes, businesses, shedding no tear

Liam McCoppin

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/old-man-walking/