Hello, my friend. A tribute to fallen miners - 2019

Each year for the last several, I have written a poem as a tribute to our country's miners who were killed in the line of their important work. Below is the poem I presented at an industry conference honoring these people who died while making a living for themselves and their families.

Mining is an important industry to our country and way of life. If it wasn't grown, it was mined. Mining used to be one of the most dangerous occupations around, but now it is one of the safest.

However, one death is too many.

In honor of those who were taken too soon, I offer these humble words.


"We Lost You Too Soon"
by Terry L. Tyson

Hello my friend.
We’ve never met, but
I know you.


Our paths never crossed
Our eyes never met
But you knew me, too.


We worked in a job
That built cities
Where you and I live.


A job that built
a country and to a people
Our sweat we would give.


We lost you too soon
Your family and friends
Will always wonder why.


We gather to seek a way
To stop death and pain
Giving us reason to cry.


We honor you today
My brother, my distant friend
Whom I’ve never met.


We honor you today
A humble gesture
And know we shall never forget.