R. G. Bell - Lockhartites

(Lockhart is, was, a cotton mill village in SC.)


They're spawned in a gene pool
As old as the windowless plant
Reigning over mill village houses
Stuck in the west bank of the Broad,
Their bedrooms a source of labor.

It's said the children are born
With plugs in ears and lint in hair.

They smooth edges of concrete steps
And pace the warping pinewood floors
Their great-grandparents paced when flat.

They bolt pintos and greens and coffee
With nabs, and cut their lunch break short
Because machines with glaring red lights call,
Demanding cotton fiber from their feeders.

They come, with paper cups in hand
Full of cotton waste and brown thick spit.

They mount the stairs to red light machines
Like sailors mount stairs to red light dreams,
With the urgency of the damned.

R. G. Bell

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/lockhartites/