Shale Voices

Alistair Finlay has a BA ( Hons) in Literature and Social Sciences ( Open University), an MA in Applied Social Studies ( Bradford University), a Certificate in Scottish Cultural Studies ( Edinburgh University), and an M PHIL in Modern Poetry ( Stirling University). His poert has been published in various literary magazines. He works as a Senior Social Worker in Livingston for West LOthian Council, and he resides in Bathgate.

Preface Tam Dalyell MP Introduction Poem: Shale Voices Poem Alistair Finlay Comment Poem: Dennis O'Donnell SHALE VOICES: Mining Talk Right Right Socialists That's your Graith Braes: Cousy and Cuddy No Rats Wife Talking: Clash-me-doon Sundays Denitist Children Tarbrax: The Fighting C...s Pitch & Toss Quotis Pit-ponies The Japanese Shale And they sent for Sommerville &me again A roof like glass Executed The stone, the coal and the shale Burned Tramps & Toffs Checkweightman Thingunnied: Working the surface haulage A carbride lamp Shale from here to Ayre Half a-crown extra for the faceman A company Union the filing and drawing They were called rebels Poem: Raymond Ross Poem: Alistair Finlay THE BURNGRANGE DISASTER Section 2