Death of a Miner

Presented at a 2017 mine safety conference in honor of American miners who lost their lives working in our nation's mines the previous year.


Death of a Miner
By Terry L. Tyson

We shall never forget, you remain with us everyday
In your passing
And in our grief
You mattered; yes, this is what we must say.

You lived, loved, laughed and toiled
From your life
And from your light
Our memory remains unspoiled.

From you we look and indeed reflect
How to work
And how to share
As death fails to earn our respect


If was from you, and you alone
That we learn
Life’s hard lessons
Is more than just flesh and bone.

In this quiet, we hear your soft voice
"Guide sister, guide brother
Always away from harm
To always make the wiser choice.

We comfort your family, daughter, son
And hold them
Close, knowing
Our work here is not done.

May your death be one of the last
Tomorrow’s tears
Be shed only
For miners long passed