The PitHead Baths
Like a monument to the past it stands isolated and alone
Unused, neglected and unwanted like some old tombstone
Once it signifies the relief of another ended shift
Of hours of heavy toil dreaming of going back in the lift
The dark the dank and the dirt entered the mind and the soul
Of the fathers, brothers and sons who daily sank into the hole
But the pit was part fo the valley the ehart of them all
And the clank of the machines became their becoming call
But they all felt the pain and loss when they closed the pit that day,
Like vultures the scrappies came to take the tower away
The men went from the valley to earn their daily crust
And nature spread the seeds to hide the slag heap dust
Now the road up to Hafodyyrynys is beautiful and green
The hills to the left and right are a pleasure to be seen
The epitome of evolution and confirmation that nothing will last
Only this remains now, desolate, a reminder to the past
When it comes into view as you drive around the bend
Open your mind and imagine a time they thought would never end
You may then just hear an echo of the singing and the laughs
Of those long gone miners who frequented the pit head baths
An after thought
Come on you councillors of Torfaen its future is in your hands
Surely this remnant of our heritage deserves some future plans
There has to be some hope out there to give the baths rebirth
Not left to crumble and decay and disappear into the earth
by Julie Wilson