Thursday, November 17, 2011

3323. 'NOT LONG ENOUGH', THE MINER SAID

'NOT LONG ENOUGH', 
THE MINER SAID
'Air grows short in a pocket; we do not know,
by the new flow, if the water will reach you, nor
if you'll stay dry. Twelve feet of solid rock
we've got to drill  -  harsh  -  and that's once
we get down there. We can't wire you for light.
We can't wire you for air. Whatever you do,
be careful down there and - I guess - just
wait. No sacrificial landing this is, and there
are a hundred faces up here crying.'
-
Then the loud dogs barked the tripwire
while those men with lanterns held their
lights. Insipid, invalued humans; there
was nothing left to do.

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