In the nitric town,

The furnace fires have faded,

And melting pigs lie cold and charred on foundry floors.

Desolate towers of concrete and steel,

Like tombs that betray the blackened hearts of beaten men.

Trains of fire and flame stand still and empty,

Receding shrouds of sulphuric clouds,

And pillars of steam that roar and hiss their defiant voices no more.

The cries ring out across the town –

The Chemical Queen is dead 

By Paul Carney

Photos of Corus, (ex-British Steel), Redcar, Teesside taken by Paul Carney in 2010