Maiden Voyage
~~~
Fifty-two tons, one of the unsinkable ones
The proud flag ship of the White Star Line
With Captain Smith true and a seasoned crew
Left Queenstown for the New York skyline
~~~
But the captain didn’t know that the fires below
Were more than the common occurrence
The hull became frail in the miles they sailed
In the end, that would make all the difference
~~~
The lookouts worked hard, the only light stars
On a night that was cold and forbidding
But they did not see the iceberg set free
Hidden beneath still seas unforgiving
~~~
Then it was too late to avoid their fate
As ghostly ice gouged the hull wide and deep
The stokers knew first, as steel bulkheads burst
They were headed to an eternal sleep
~~~
The tragic fail, lifeboats hung at the rail
Hoped salvation that could not be lowered
And as water rushed in, raising panic and din
The North Sea came for what was owed her
~~~
What sealed their fate, how light scintillates
As scared signalman flashes passing ship
Distant twinkling light on such a starry night
Not seen as beyond horizon they slipped
~~~
The sea it is said, never gives up her dead
Tragic souls are gathered like plunder
But in the demise, saved spirits do rise
As the behemoth slowly slips under
~~~
There below the waves, the ones left unsaved
As what they said could never happen did
An icy deep shrine, forgotten to time
Where all the mariner’s failures stay hid
~~~
beautifully said, and incredibly tragic. I went to see the titanic museum where it was built in Ireland, and it was powerfully moving
I am a bit jealous, as Ireland is one of the few places I have never been to. Thanks for all your kindness and support!
My favorite place I’ve visited
Oh, Brad, you touched my heart. So beautifully written.
Thank you, my Poetess!
Wow! Beautiful Brad, like a song to the proud, unsinkable Titanic…
Thank you, dear friend!
My pleasure always my friend!
what a terrible way to have your life end; yet your words somehow soften the blow…
Thank you, Jim!
Wow! You nailed this one, Brad! What a dangerous time to travel compared to modern ships.
Thank you, Pete!
Wow, this is an amazing tribute to the people and the sailors. Beautifully descriptive and such lovely form and rhythmic tone. It makes me want to watch the titanic movie which I haven’t seen forever. Sending you my love, ❤️❤️🤗Jonikins
Thank you Jonikins! Much love!
Much love to you Brad. ❤️🤗🦋😘Jonikins