DEATH OF A SHRIMPER

I've been a shrimper all my life
  supported both my kids and wife
  out on the seas where I belong
  how could things have gone so wrong ?

My father shrimped as did his dad
  it earned them everything they had
  we worked our boats and had the feel
  for putting shrimp beneath our keel

I started out 'most every day
  out at the mouth of Mobile bay
  I'd then turn either east or west
  depending which way I deemed best

As evening came I'd head to dock
  my day not governed by a clock
  could usually sell at end of day
  enough to keep the wolf at bay

But now the life that I once led
  is gone 'cause most the shrimp are dead
  survivors are not fit to eat
  no reason to untie the cleat

Though now they say the clean-ups done
  through all their money they have run
  the gusher capped and all is well
  I'm still stuck in shrimpers' hell

You see, now days I sleep in late
  each week at mailbox I await
  the dole that was set up for me
  no longer do I go to sea

I walk the docks and do odd jobs
  still seeing tarry,  oily blobs
  my work, my very life have fled
  'though I still walk, I'm really dead