Black Lung Marriage

Black Lung Marriage An old coal miner Rocks on his front porch Talking to any who will listen As he points to his oxygen machine. "How do you like her? She's a looker, eh? Makes me breath real heavy, know what I mean?" He tries to laugh But coughs so deep It hurts his ribs Then sucks on his machine. "Oh, she hisses a lot. She hates the dust that lines my lungs And is always after me To cough it up. What a nag!" He sucks some more Then rubs his ribs. "Sometimes I wish she'd let me die, ya know?" -Richard B. Patterson 63 ...