Del “Abe” Jones

MINERS’ UPDATE

After the news they were found alive
I’m adding this, this morning
From joyful, happy, jubilation
To the pain and tears and mourning.

How could this have happened?
Why was the good news so wrong?
And though some knew about it
Why did the truth take so long?

Then there is the rage and anger
That has come a bit too late
About all the safety violations
That have sealed those Miners' Fate.

If the officials with the power
From Fed, State, or Company
Had fulfilled their obligations
They could have stopped this tragedy.

If the men themselves had complained
They probably would have been let go
But what could those violations cost?
Well sadly now, we all know.

Just another of those lessons learned
(Though we all know that isn’t so)
Soon it will be the same ol’ same
To guarantee the money flow.

Lives are cheap and expendable
When it comes to the bottom line
Seems it’s always been and will be
For those folks down in the Mine.