Tin Mining
By Matthew Sweeney
Instead of climbing the wooded hill
you should descend into the tin mine
that hasn’t been used for twenty years.
Be sure to take a hard hat with a light
and wear hiking boots. Avoid any
attributes such as belts or braces
that could snag on any rusty metal.
You won’t need to bring a canary
for this kind of mine, but bring a small
pickaxe – there’s still tin there if you
can locate it. Imagine the homemade
jewellery you’d charm your woman with,
say a brooch with the old three hares
circular motif. Take a bottle of Cornish cider
and a Toby jug with your own face on it
to celebrate – howl out a local folk song,
then climb out to round up some tourists
for the dance called the Tinners’ Rabbit
involving sticks and a complex rotation
you’ll have to learn and teach the others,
after which you can all retire to Zennor,
and The Tinners’ Arms to drink more,
shouting out toasts to the Queen and Duke
of Cornwall, and anyone who takes your fancy.
