top of page
Oil Spill on Beach 50.jpg

The Spill

Reaper Screaming in the Gulf

Mark Bosarge

Mark Bosage is a direct descendant of the founders of Bayou La Batre, Alabama. His ancestors harvested oysters like the Indians; his family has had a continuous presence in the seafood industry to this day. This includes a shrimp cannery, crab shops, an oyster shucking and steaming operation and ownership of at least 20 large shrimp boats, both steel & wood, between them. In years past the relatives who left to work in other areas would always come back and catch food to survive like the Indians. Mark says that is gone and it is like God has shut a door on his time-honored gift; they all pray God will reopen this door. Mark lives in Mobile, Alabama.

A gentle Zephyr upon the water

Making little caps of white

A sudden rumble from the rig

Then a fireball in the night


People on the bayou slept so sweet

A new season drawing nigh

Little could they even dream

That the stakes would be so high


The reaper was screaming in the Gulf

Calling everybody’s name

Hardship was making its killing list

For things would never be the same


The oil was flowing freely

Futures dying each helpless day

Eyes and ears glued to the tube

To what heartbreak had to say


Everyone was pointing fingers

Blaming the other for the lorn

Fishing families’ eyes had tears

It was their lives being torn


Their government was making promises

Politicians and what they say

But the brown was killing their heritage

Inching closer by the day


They prayed into the heavens

For God to hear their prayer

Then suddenly the well was capped

Now no one seems to care


The cleanup crews are drawing down

And things that have no rhyme

Decisions now that make no sense

Just a lull for death in time


When Jesus started picking his crew

It was fisherman that he chose

And after two thousand years

Fisherman still here, don't ya’ know


No matter decisions made by man

Whether for money or the vote

It will be our Lord and Savior

Who plays the final note.

Join our mailing list

bottom of page