Let’s take a walk round Molenbeek
Near calm canal of Charleroi
Where factories would fortunes make
Redolent of Brussels’ power.
A thriving rag trade settled here;
Much wood and metal craftmanship
Bronze statues had a long career*
Workers’ housing was close-knit.
Coffee roasters, flour mills
Here was bread first mass-produced!
Fast techniques shop floors soon drilled
New-fangled tools found rapid use.
Transport and energy were cheap
So “Little Manchester” was born
The 19th century saw its peak;
Today it wakes to quieter dawn.
Much to take in and digest;
Where is this labour force today?
The Fonderie now does its best
To put this lost world on display.
(c) Poet in the woods 2025
* La Fonderie - aka the Industrial and Labour Museum - is on the site of the Compagnie des Bronzes.
27 rue de Ransfort 1080 Brussels
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