In Llanbrynmair 1862 is where you were born
     You didn't know then, that you would be torn
     Away from that beauty never again to be seen
     A picturesque valley, so rugged - yet green.
     What made you leave that peaceful place
     Your family and your friends
     Was it because the 'Lead Mines' there
     Were coming to an end?
     

     You came down to the valley of Merthyr
     Found a job - no need to go further
     You worked in 'The Deep Navigation' mine
     Hard conditions were there at that time.
     While there, you met a nice young girl
     She must have give your heart a twirl
     She was born in the village of Rhymney
     And this was the one you would marry.
   

     Hannah Edwards was this girl's name 
     Your love for each other, it was the same
     In 1886 you became man and wife
     This was the start of your married life.
     Wasn't long before the children arrived
     One, then two, three, four - five!
     More were to come while in Treharris you lived
     and later you all moved to Senghenydd.
   

     Here you worked in the pit again
     'The Universal' was it's name
     So much work, little time to spare
     But you found the time to love and care.
     Underground you could hardly see
     There was dust in your lungs, where air should be
     But it didn't break you spirit or soul
     and you continued working cutting coal.
   

     While Hannah- children she was still bearing
     By now there were many more than seven
     She ran a shop on 'Senghenydd Square'
     The locals came and 'gossiped' there.
     Fourteen children were born by 1909
     Nine boys to continue your 'Jones' line
     But not all would see their adult years
     It left you in sorrow, sadness and tears.
   

     But still you were happy there in that place
     Didn't need satin, didn't need lace
     You had each other to lean upon 
     and the memories of the days now gone.
     'October 14th 1913', brought a tragic day
     A terrible price you would have to pay
     While digging out the 'Baron's coal'
     Down that deep and dark, black hole.
   

     You were one of many boys and men
     Never to see their families again
     For on that day, the 'Big Blast' came
     Hundreds were killed, many left lame.
     How long would you suffer there
     Waiting to be saved
     Would they come and rescue you
     Or was this to be your grave?
   

     Or was it over quick for you
     and your road to Heaven paved?
     So long you lay there underground
     Five weeks went by - then you were found.
     By now Hannah knew your fate
     It left her numb, cold as slate
     This had truly broke her heart
     She never thought so soon you'd part.
   

     How much did her poor heart ache
     The many nights she lay awake
     Wishing it was all a dream
     Now, an empty life for her it seemed.
     But she endured for many more years
     Coped with the hardships and the tears
     Her family helped her through her sorrow
     Gave her the strength for each tomorrow.
   

     With many children left to feed
     and without you - how great her need
     Twenty seven years you'd spent together
     and she'd love you for always and ever.
     For she never married again
     Reared the children, still feeling the pain
     Of never seeing your face again
     and in the family home would remain.
   

     She lived thirty one years after losing you
     Yet still to your memory, she remained true
     She died in nineteen forty four
     and found you waiting at 'Heaven's Door'.
     Now you're together again at last
     Lovingly talking about the past
     Lots to catch up on, lots to say
     How long she'd waited for this day.
   

     And so you are as one again
     Free from from sorrow, free from pain
     A new life you have up there now
     Glad you'd made that 'Marriage Vow'.
     Your children have now all joined you
     Your descendents will go on and on
     It would have been nice to have met you
     Maybe I will - but much later on!
   

     'Edward and Sarah', were your parents names
     Your siblings were Jane and Evan
     Did you go back to see them again
     Before you left earth for Heaven?
     We often visit your place of birth
     Nothing there now - just stones and earth
     The view still takes your breath away
     It hasn't changed since you left that day!
   

     'Gnipell, Pennant', was the name of the place
     But you didn't live there long
     Moved over the hill to 'Pen-y-bwlch'
     Where siblings Evan and Jane were born.
     One of your children was 'Evan John'
     But everyone called him 'Jack'
     He was nineteen years old when you died
     So he knew you wouldn't be back.
   

     He too met a nice young lady
     Her name was 'Hilda May'
     She came over from Tonypandy
     Met Jack and decided to stay!
     They had one son and four daughters
     The youngest was 'Mary Hannah'
     She was born in January nineteen twenty three
     The year Jack died of his war injury.
   

     To the family she was known as 'Nancy'
     and very fortunately for me
     She gave birth to a son called 'Brian'
     He's now my husband you see!
     So Brian is your Great Grandson
     and your genes he has passed to our children
     I never knew you - you never knew me
     But this poem I dedicate to 'Your Memory'
   

Mary Wheeler,2003.