'Progress' by Paul Francis

From a display at Acton Scott, 20.6.09


Good housewives, mother taught me
As I swept the kitchen floor
Spin thread at home on wheels
Made by Edward Bore.

As parish clerk he’d gathered
A little local fame
But it was the beauty of his wheels
That truly made his name.

When new machines made cheaper thread
No knocking at his door.
His humming lathe was still; he died
Unrecognised and poor.


Paul Francis