Playing With Fire

They say it stopped his heart of gold;
he fell, consumed by corporate blame,
the newspapers were told,
and licking acid flames.

It only takes a tiny spark,
a tank collapsing under,
one million gallons of burning waste;
he won't be home for supper.

What guilt for such a heinous crime?
It wasn't a surprise;
For years inspectors warned of this.
The company denies.

The CEO cooperates,
but only "within reason."
They'll ride it out and feign to care
'til turning of the season:

For public forgets and mergers complete,
and veterans retire.
When history is lost; who will know
the risk of playing with fire?


Dedicated to Jeff Davis
victim of Motiva accident
Delaware City, Delaware
July 17, 2001

NOTE: On July 17, 2001, workers were repairing a catwalk connecting acid tanks at Motiva's Delaware City Refinery.  Leaking vapors from one tank ignited when it came into contact with welding equipment.  The storage tank, which contained spent sulfuric acid, exploded, causing the tank to separate from its foundation.  Several workers were injured and one worker, Jeffrey Davis, was presumed dead; his body was never recovered. Acid from the tank farm spilled into the Delaware River for days, killing fish and crabs.  Investigation by the EPA revealed that Motiva had been warned by internal inspectors multiple times about corrosion and leaks in the tank.  Additionally, the tank was certified for storage of non-flammable sulfuric acid, not spent sulfuric acid (which contains flammable hydrocarbons.)