Memories of Dowlais from an Exile

[Steve Bowen]

Dowlais in Exile

Dowlais where it always rained.
Pubs and Churches vied and gained
Souls from one another’s camp;
South Street, North Street, always damp.
Iron Foundry, dying slowly,
Leaving embers ashen, holy.
I.C.I. Triang and O.P’s
Seeking settled young blood workers;
Kayser Bonder stocking down
Tights made old silk-makers frown.
From the huddle of its streets
Faintly Dowlais’ heart now beats.
Once so strong, forged proud with thunder,
Long ago, forgotten wonder.
Flats and modern brick-built horrors
Nine-day wonders – scarred tomorrows,
Set astride this once proud hill.
Terraced foundations now lie chill.
Where now are those dusty memories?
Dowlais in its hey-day memories?
Sunday summer walks for fun
Green hills beckoned everyone.
Blue Pool, Pontstic’ Fynyndwyn,
Taf Fechan and the Morlais Ruin;
Story telling one and all,
Walking tales and smiling tall.
Gone the days of languid strolling;
Gazing Brecon Beacons rolling
Far away like distant dreams;
Memories cold as Pen-y-Fan streams.
Snow-capped peaks of years gone by
Silent watch our Dowlais die.
Dowlais where strong men were made.
Myriad tales begin to fade.
Reputations made and lost.
Dowlais now must count the cost.

But rest in peace you once proud town,
Let not progress tear you down.
Dowlais – dark, forgotten, ill,
Your glory lives in my heart still.

[mal harries]

Yes! I like that one Steve ::

[gwalion]

*seeks large thumbs up emoticon*

I see the poetry of us Merthyr Bred scattered throughout the site

Again..'too long has history thinned the blood that flames of innocents did forge'

Let us keep it where it belongs and recognition give.

[pamray]

can anyone tell me were david street was 1903

[pamray]

david street dowlais

[joseph]

Behind Sand Street (see Gellifaelog Bridge post)

[catherine]

This poem is excellent! What sort of time period is it capturing? Dates? I'm resarching Merthyr!

[colin]

Hi Catherine,
From my memory of Dowlais I would say approx. 1975
Colin

[bettieboo]

can anyone tell em where i can obtain a copy of ann lewis book 'Pantscallog' please

[morgana]

Loved the poem, it sums up Dowlais perfectly.Terraced houses, outside toilets,coal fires,and I only go back to 1954.
I remember going shopping with my grandmother on a Saturday morning, we'd leave the house at nine o,clock and not return until nearly noon, we had seen so many of her friends and relatives.
There was a real sense of community back then. I also remember the snow and ice.I lived in Regent Street, and going to Gellifaelog School in the winter was a real endurance test.
Please everybody keep remembering the past.

[jonesdowlais1909]

The poem reminds me of my Father. He was born in Dowlais 1909 and proud of it. I remember tales of my Grandfather who could not read or write looking at the newspaper upside down. My father coming from the station at Dowlais Top and his Mother having the tin bath in front of the fire. Also a pond or extent of water at Dowlais Top were he learned to swim. I wish I had more memories. Grandfather worked at the Iron works and my Father at Abercynon Pit. I have only just joined, sorry the reply is a little late.