The Miner

he faces

the daunting wall of 

solid rock

deep veins 

with pick chisel hammer 

and curse

he longingly hums a mother's song

again 

again 

again

a dim lantern flickers 

entices the shadows

sweat pours 

blistered and calloused hands incredibly still bleed

the salt in his eyes clouds burns

a blinding wiped away with

every strike of hope

luck 

word 

and

rhyme

JPPestana

The Miner

2.24.2022