I shudder to imagine what to say
About an artist of his caliber;
His aim to know the worker of his day,
And on the work its dignity confer.

But more than that, his hope was to create,
From what he learned, a message in his art;
To help his countrymen, before too late,
To know the anguish in the worker’s heart.

In Pennsylvania coal-mine towns he shared
The homes and mines and dangers of the men.
He saw the poverty and illness, and he cared,
And vowed to use his art, right there and then.

He knew how darkness feels a thousand feet below!
He vowed to bring some light to those who need to know.

Copyright (2006) by Arnold Cantor.
All rights reserved.

[Written August 30, 2006.]