They've Stopped The Flow (poem) by Richard Lee King on AuthorsDen

They've Stopped The Flow
by Richard Lee King → (All Poetry by Richard Lee King)
Rated "G" by the Author.

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It’s been a year now, since the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It no longer dominates the headlines, but it should. For years to come we will be still paying the consequences and please note that I said we, not BP. It appears as though they won’t be paying much at all. Shortly after the spill I wrote a poem titled MORE DOLPHINS DIED TODAY. It couldn’t be more poignant than it is today. I’m reposting it as an addendum to this poem.

*They’ve Stopped the Flow* Today is the one year anniversary of one of America’s saddest days. Not so much in loss of lives but in so many other ways. Once they stopped the flow of oil the controversy died right down, but there are remnants of the devastation still evident all around. According to BP’s ads on TV you’d think there’s been no harm, but tell that to those affected who’re yet to feel all that charm. Many still await compensation, they’ve run out of places to turn. Meanwhile the ads keep coming, guess BP still has money to burn. They’ve turned off the valve completely and yes, they’ve stopped the flow. I’m not speaking about the oil people are still waiting for their dough. *MORE DOLPHINS DIED TODAY* BP seems not to care, unless it affects the bottom line. As long as they’re making big bucks, everything seems just fine. They don’t care about the turtles, or other creatures of the sea, but don’t mess with their profits if you know what’s good for thee. That’s the way it’s always been, the way it will likely stay. Meanwhile in the Gulf of Mexico, more dolphins died today. We can clean the beaches, eventually the people will come back, but of the deaths of all the creatures, tell me just who’s keeping track? We fret for those who’ve lost a job and the increased prices we’ll have to pay still nothing’s being done as more dolphins died today. As we try to clean up the mess new jobs will be created and the headlines will subside once the oil flow has been abated. Another crisis will gain our attention, or there’s another game being played. The attention will die down, but still more dolphins will die today. © copyright 2010 Richard Lee King Author of: A Pursuit of Life & The Price of Freedom

Reviewed by Patrick Granfors

Reviewed on April 21, 2011

Yeah I've seen the video of multiple sites where the oil is just below the surface. Hopefully as one report goes the current batch of dolphin deaths are related to mother's the initial spill exposure and will not continue. Patrick

Reviewed by Donna Chandler

This is a well-written reminder that all is NOT well in the Gulf and won't be for quite a long time.

Donna

Reviewed by Linda Hill

Richard,
Thanks for this compassionate write. This is one I wished I'd written.

Blessings,
~Linda

Reviewed by TONY NERONE

Reviewed on April 20, 2011

Awesome writing, Dick. Everything about BP is a scam.
Peace
Tony

Reviewed by Felix Perry

So very true, it seems the media is a fickle friend to whatever the latest tragedy is and quickly forgets the ongoing crisis once the novelty wears out.
fee

Reviewed by Paul Berube

Excellent write, Richard.

Reviewed by Stephen Cherring

Tough one ..But you tackled it like a writer.

Reviewed by Annabel Sheila

Such a gigantic heartwrenching tragedy that will affect lives and our environment more than anybody really knows....and yet, it's played down in the name of money and greed!!! Disgusting!!! Gread job on getting this message out there, Richard.

Anna

Reviewed by Mr. Ed

We are very sadly on the same page, today. I posted my poem: A Year Ago, Today - this morning, about this great tragedy.

And we are very sadly an extremely naive nation today, with so many still believing our pompous politicians that more and more drilling (and more and more devastation) will give us cheap gasoline.

And more and more dolphins, and birds, and sea turtles, will continue to die.