Titanic

[November]

A last whisky on deck ?

What does it taste like ?

It tastes like amber and death.
But I must confess, it's the first one
I actually enjoy.

I see what you mean.
The others, we took for granted
We took everything for granted then.
So, that's that,
That's what it was to come to ?
Very different from what we had figured !

Had you thought about death before ?
I had and to speak frankly, I rather loved the idea.
A short illness, not too painful,
My wife sitting by my bed,
My children calling me Daddy,
Cheerful visits of my friends from the Bridge club...

My wife in mourning clothes,
A social event in the season,
Speeches by the grave.
It seems so frightening now.
What do you make ?
How long is it going to be ?

To go down ?

To die.
Are we going to drown ?
Are we going to die of exposure ?
Maybe... we won't die after all !

We will die alright.
There is no place for lies,
No place for hope.

My wife is expecting me in New York.

My wife is expecting me in London
And my mistress is somewhere
On the sea.
She went on a lifeboat.
We have never loved, have we ?

We have MADE love.

It's entirely different.
Even then...
We haven't made love
We have fornicated.
We are alone tonight.
Nobody has ever loved us.

Our children perhaps ?

No, they feared us,
Respected us.

Look at these two
Clutching to each other,
Kissing and holding hands.
She has not deserted him.
She won't go on a lifeboat.
I wish a woman would stand by me tonight
And help me to die.

We have been educated.
We will behave as gentlemen.
We have been taught.
I wish I could scream my fear out
Like one of these third class Irishmen !

You know what ?
Last night, they were dancing !
We have not been able to dance either.
We just moved with elegance.
I wish I could pray !

We KNOW the words !

Yes but we don't know God.
The words are not enough.
The words can't help.

Look at this man !
Reading !
How peaceful he is !

Yes. We look peaceful
But he IS.
It has not been imposed on him.
He has just learned
Because he has lived.
He is wise
And we pretend.
College polish.

I had never thought
I would die at sea !
I have never been afraid of the sea !

My wife had a dream
But I didn't believe her.
Who would believe a woman ?

We'll have no tombstone.

The fish will eat our eyes out.

Listen to the music !
It is heart wrenching
But it is beautiful !

You have TEARS in your eyes !

It is the first time.
I really FEEL something.
Strange to feel alive
Just because we are to die.
What time is it ?

It's time to go.

[Jahaliel]

Wow. this was an incredibly moving write and such an interesting pov. you capture the scope of the tragedy but also the human nature in it as well. very well written.

[November]

Thanks for your visit and comment very much appreciated indeed ! Fancy that, you the intense poet of a few lines, of a few words, stopping to read such a long text !
Thank you again for your very accurate reading.

[Jerryk]

Hello November, my Friend;
an excellent recap of a tragedy that will stay on in our memory! Loved the reflection of the male passenger who knows he is doomed. It all reads like a dialog with oneself. I must say, the narrator is a brave soul. I had a nearly deadly incident in my long life and remember how stoic thoughts shot through my mind. Dying is no big deal, except for the pain that may go with it. A terrific write, indeed. Much liked.

[November]

Thanks Jerry for coming on board of this long poem and for dropping an appreciative comment.