Oil Slick – The Prestige

(The 'Prestige' oil tanker spilt its load on 13^th November 2002

of the coast of Galicia, Spain)

There would be some prestige

in accountability

or responsibility,

when the sea heaves black poison

in waves upon the shore.

There could be redemption

in repentance,

but not in indifference

as miles of golden sand

are besieged with curdled oil.

There should be sympathy,

but it’s doubtful

and won’t come from the powerful

made rich by black gold, while fishermen

shocked pale, scrape their living clean.

But there is certainly anger

for the gasping cormorant,

tarred and feathered;

and the small crab, black as pitch

lying fossilised in someone’s palm.

© Sue Burley 2002

(A recent news report states that ‘The Prestige’ is still leaking oil

off the north-west coast of Spain, 4 years later- 2006))

13^th November 2013- A Spanish court acquitted 3 people blamed for the sinking of The Prestige oil tanker in 2002, finding no-one responsible for one of Europe’s worst environmental  oil disasters.