Lightning and Chemicals
© Erik Knudson 2010

Sarah walked six miles for the medicine.
And walked six miles back to her children.
In the Appalachian Hills
she kept her thumb out for a ride.
And her chin held up
in broken hearted pride.

Sarah works part time at a small cafe
While the kids at home run and play.
Young men sell chemicals
down an alleyway.
Sarah bites her lip,
and won’t let it get in her way.

In an age of the digital
and easy trips to the moon.
Her children yearn for a good meal.
and the night kitchen’s spoon.

Lightnin’ and chemicals and black coal so deep
chip away like a miner’s axe while quietly they sleep

Sarah won’t let it happen like to her dad.
She’s gonna see it through no matter how bad.
Slowed by alcohol
and the miner’s choking dust.
Still he soldiered on
like Sarah knows that she must.

Time’s taken it’s toll on the family home.
but better than some it stands alone.
In the Appalachian Hills
It falls behind the pace.
And with the mountains quietly
fights a losing race.

Strip mined mountains
fill cool creek water runs.
Their souls uplifted
and burned to cinders by the sun.

Lightnin’ and chemicals and black coal so deep
chip away like a miner’s axe while quietly they sleep