Tainted Hands

My hands are tainted

Like black painted

Not by hurting a child

Nor by ignoring a plea ever so mild

Not by bribing

Nor by jibing

Not by judging

Nor by fudging

Not by stealing

Nor by killing

By mining coal

By greasing engines to rev and roll

By filling petrol

By painting a scroll

By polishing a boot and sole

By rescuing a foal

By cooking a roll

By tending to a kiln pole

My hands are tainted

Like black painted

Greasy is hard work

Messy but I am no jerk.