USMWF - United Support & Memorial For Workplace Fatalities

Accountability

Who took my brother from me?

There’s really no accountability.

Supervisor said,

I was just doing what I was told.

I’m given a job and then it’s doled.

I’m not the murderer I’m not guilty;

I shouldn’t have to take responsibility.

Who took my sister from me?

There’s really no accountability.

Employer said,

We can’t be undersold.

We're in good standing and profits are fourfold.

We’re not the murderer we’re not guilty;

We shouldn’t have to take responsibility?

Who took my daughter from me?

There’s really no accountability.

OSHA said,

Our inspectors are working on overload.

We believe voluntary compliance will uphold.

We’re not the murderer we’re not guilty;

We shouldn’t have to take responsibility?

Who took my son from me?

There’s really no accountability.

The Trade Association said,

We gave class and they were enrolled.

We are not responsible for it taking hold.

We’re not the murderer We’re not guilty;

We shouldn’t have to take responsibility?

Who took my mother from me?

There’s really no accountability.

President said,

We’re the best place to do business as foretold.

Deregulation is the method and mold.

I’m not the murderer I’m not guilty;

I shouldn’t have to take responsibility?

Who took my father from me?

There’s really no accountability.

Chamber of Commerce said,

Membership and Standing are like gold.

The corporations do not need controlled.

We’re not the murderer We’re not guilty;

We shouldn’t have to take responsibility?

Who took my life from me?

There’s really no accountability.

My  family can no longer be consoled

while I’m lying beneath the ground so cold.

No one seems to be guilty.

They haven’t taken responsibility?

Who took my life from me?

There’s really no accountability.

I’ll never see my children grow old

all they have is this picture to behold.

No one seems to be guilty.

They haven’t taken responsibility?  

Trench

by Tammy Miser (2006)

In Memory of  the many lives lost in trenches

Children gaze in excitement as a structure is made.

Chuckling they see the many hands as they wave.

With out a shore the dark walls begin to cave.

Many escape with still one body to save.

A hazardous rescue, prayers and shovel they gave.

Little did he know he was digging his own grave!

Shawn Duane Boone

by Tammy Miser (2003)

In memory of my Brother

They keep asking me how I am,

He was a great brother, uncle, son and man.

They continue telling me he’s in no pain,

But he’s still my little Shawn Duane.

They say if I need anything-just call,

I need my brother before I fall.

They pronounce he’s with the Angels and has God’s grace.

He should be with us that’s really his place!

They say he did not die alone, take comfort in that!

How can I, where is he at?

They say he was a good friend, always giving a hand.

I’m fearful where my heart might land.

They declare some good will  come, it’s fate, 

a reason and  that’s the way it’s to be.

There is nothing momentous that I can see!

They utter remember the good times you had.

I miss him so very bad!

They state he's with you mind, soul and heart.

I can't bear being this far apart!

Golden Gate Angel

by Mary M Vivenzi (2002)

In memory of Kevin Noah who fell to his death working on the GG Bridge

My Golden Gate Angel Angel, 

You've fallen from above.
Can you tell me did it hurt,
When you hit the ground my love.
Did you somehow hurt your wing,
So you simply couldn't fly.
Or was there something more to it,
Tell me love Tell me why.
I knew you were an angel,

From the moment I saw your face.
But I never thought you'd leave me,
And without a single trace.
You and I had something special,
That I thought would never end
The Golden Gate Angel,
Was my lover and my friend.
I know love we were meant to be,
And I know the reasons why.
Still I'll never understand.
How god's plan required you to die.
Now alone I'm left to wonder,
Why my angel couldn't fly.

Untitled

by Unknown

In memory of Morillo, Juan Pablo

"Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. 

 I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on snow.

 I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn's rain.  

When you awaken in the mornings hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. 

 I am the soft star that shines at night.  

Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die."

by Unknown

In Memory of  William Henry Nichols

I said, "God, I hurt."

And God said, "I know."

I said, "God, I cry alot"

And God said, "That is why I give you tears."

I said, "God, I am so depressed."

And God said, "That is why I give you Sunshine."

I said, "God life is so hard."

And God said, "That is why I give you loved ones"

I said, "God my love one died."

And God said, "So did mine."

I said, "God, it is such a loss."

And God said, "I saw my son nailed to a cross."

I said, " God but your loved one lives."

And God said, "So does yours."

I said, "God, where are they now?"

And God said, "Mine is on MY right and your ‘DAD’ is in the Light."

I said, "God, it hurts."

And God said, "I know."

Force Equals Distance Times Weight

by Susan Eisenberg
for the pipefitter apprentice at the Hynes

Consider this skin-encased bundle of fat and muscle
each intricate organ protected by bones
known to splinter on impact: a man.

Consider the marble stairs patiently 
waiting smooth hard cold below.

Consider the distance: fifty-five feet
not the carefully-arranged
landing of a diver or parachutist

a come-as-you-are unexpected arrival
human body meeting metamorphic rock.

Once it begins this 
unruly fall from the steps of a ladder
past where a guardrail will be installed
within the hour

the details 
of his particular life step back
the wife the new baby
each kindness each wildness –– 
everything that will be chewed over 
later so many times ––
until this delicate collision of physics
and fate
lands.

Untitled

by Kelly Heilert (2004)

In memory of Scott Heilert

A shadow of joy flickered; it is me.
I told you I wouldn't leave..
My spirit is with you.
My memories, my thoughts are
imbedded deep in your heart.
I still love you.
Do not for one moment think
that you have been abandoned.
I am in the Light.

In the corner, in the hall,
the car, the yard --
these are the places I stay with you.
My spirit rises every time
you pray for me,
but my energy comes closer to you.
Love does not diminish,
it grows stronger.

I am the feather that
finds you in the yard,
the dimmed light that grows
brighter in your mind,
I place our memories for you to see.
We lived in our special way,
a way that now has its focus changed.
I still crave your understanding and
long for the many words of prayer
and good fortune for my soul.
I am in the Light.

As you struggle to adjust without me,
I watch silently.
Sometimes I summon up all the strength of
my new world to make you notice me.
Impressed by your grief,
I try to impress my love deeper
into your consciousness.
As you should,
I call out to the Heavens for help.
You should know that the
fountain of youth does exist.
My soul is now healthy.
Your love sends me new found energy.
I am adjusting to this new world.
I am with you and I am in the Light.

Please don't feel bad
that you can't see me.
I am with you wherever you go.
I protect you, just as you
protected me so many times.
Talk to me and somehow I will find
a way to answer you.
Mother, father, son or daughter
it makes no difference.
Brother, sister, lover, husband or wife,
it makes no difference.
Whatever our connection-friend or
even foe-I see you with my new eyes.
I am learning to help wherever you are,
wherever I am needed.
This can be done because I am in the Light.

When you feel despair, reach out to me.
I will come.
Our love for you truly does
transcend from Heaven to Earth.
Finish your life with the enthusiasm and zest
that you had when we were
together in the physical sense. You owe this to me,
but more importantly,
you owe it to yourself.
Life continues for both of us.
I am with you because I love you
and I am in the Light.

I REMEMBER 

by Erin Elizabeth Sperrey (1999)

In memory of Sperrey, Erin Elizabeth

I remember the day the news came to me.
Sitting in my room,
The phone rings.
The voice in the other end is shaky and disturbing.
All I can hear is sobbing,
Finally the voice begind to speak,
Hoarse and nervous.
The words uttered softly,
"He is dead"
I begin to scream and cry,
The breath is taken from my chest.
I fall to the floor.
When I awake I ask,
"Is it true?"
"Is he gone?"
My worst nightmare is confirmed.
I remember the day the news came to me.

To My Brothers and Sister who still live on Workers Memorial Day

by David Hurlburt CWA Local 9410

When the Roll is called up yonder,

Of all the workers who have died.

Will my name be among them?

So my heart will fill with pride.

I am a Union Member in life and when I am Dead; So every April 28 I want to hear my name be read.

I died because of the job, so remember me by name.

Correct the unsafe condition; I do not want any Fame.

I was proud of being union all the time I was alive.

I want to stay union even if my body won't survive.

Let my death be an example to those who still live.

Be Safe and Healthy is the message I would give.