To eager young ears his biography he told ,

In stark detail the motivations unfold .

Down, down, the cage descends the pit shaft hole,

Where miners eke out a living clawing coal .

Banter tries to lift that pit bottom feeling

Where life’s on hold neath a propped rock ceiling.

Ever present is a nagging  elsewhere lust ,

But all is smothered by thick monochrome dust .

The shift end senses queue in despair

Longing for that first gasp of sunlit air .

Perceptive eyes ,rimmed with coal dust eyeliner ,

Give food for thought for one surfacing miner .

He paints rich street scenes in dancing colour ,

With verdant blessings from nature’s mother .

Grist to the mill and his creative soul 

But thanks in part to that ironic hole .

His original talent can vividly see

Our bustling lives as they used to be.

Moment and mood receive a warm embrace ,

With vibrant memories in nostalgic heart space.

Some folk rush by, others ponder and care ,

Portraying Yorkshire life with flamboyant flair .

Following his star, ambition in safe harbour ,

He found himself, take a bow Joe Scarborough .

                                                     John R Evans

Own a Pitt Street Print - Visit Here