The Work of the Weavers
Coates’ Paisley negotiates her looms
looms clattering in the cottage gloom
or shift-shuttling fine threads of weave
or muffling thuds, squeaks, tiny gasps
– the click-clack of Tannahill’s thoughts
drifting in the darkened Sma’ Shot
while Calton men dress deadly warp
shot by soldiers, weaved into corpse.
Remember Death, the first pay strike
Page, Miller, Ainsley addressing local plights
winding their fate from back beam to front
or treadling their fight with a risky slump
running the streets, cutting webs, burning cloth.
The Regiment of Foot released gunfire wrath
one pair of shoes and stockings their reward
mural tributes to martyrs as their just award.
Maggie Mackay
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