BLACK COUNTRY LUNGS
Twas on the day that Harry and Meghan wed
We came together to honour our Black Country dead
Those living too sharing that vital spark
That they used to light up here at lovely Lightwoods Park
Black Country lungs that breathe their last
For so many the deadly die was cast
With smoking and industrial disease
The cause of their early much lamented demise
Black Country lungs were ravaged by COPD
A blessed release as they passed….it set them free
Women like Ann told how she couldn’t breathe
Her Brummie lungs congested by a Black Country disease
Then along came Corinne to take pictures of their plight
With oxygen masks helping them make light
Of this terrible disease which was such a blight
But Corinne came along to make them feel bright
By telling their stories to the rest of the world
It gave them purpose as their suffering unfurled
Such lives well lived in the tough foundries and mines
These Black Country folk had shown such backbone and spine
In their fight to make a livin’ in tough times
Corinne Noordenbos this Dutch lady artist
Gave them their lives back with a voice at their parting
Black Country lungs breathe their last in the park
Black Country folk are the ‘Salt of the Earth’
Keith Bracey the Brummie Bard: Birmingham and Black Country poet.
You can read my poetry on my Bracey Bearwood Blog at
Keith Bracey the Brummie Bard Birmingham & Black Country poet & writer 