A Captain’s Burden

A Captain’s Burden

I lie with the crashing of each wave
For endless night is now all I know
Lost long ago at the mercy of the sea
As my life was drawn to the deep depths below

For the vessel I captained, the greatest of all
A creation of beauty that left men in awe
Was believed by the many a glimmering white star
The unsinkable ship, except it had a flaw

For in all our great wisdom we believed ourselves Gods
To create something so perfect and beat all the odds
Few life boats were needed, mild decoration of course
A decision the creator would soon hold in remorse

When tragedy struck the crew did their best
But training was lacking and ignorance led to death
For the few boats we held were launched undermanned
Leaving many men stranded to never see again land

When all hope seemed lost and with nowhere to go
The band started playing, the bravest performance you’d know
On they kept playing till swept clear by the waves
And joined with the hundreds who on that night met their graves

In the last living moments I feared my duty to serve
To go down with the vessel my custom to observe
For like many afore me who’s met with the great sea
The responsibilities mine, no mercy for me

More than 90 years later I still see her great mass
As she snapped in the middle, they're all still screaming alas
This vision it haunts me, though I’m lost in my grave
Afloat still at the mercy of these murderous waves




In memory of the hundreds of brave men and woman aboard Titanic, that met their graves on that fateful night 14th April 1912. May they forever rest in peace.






If you enjoyed this poem and would like to read more of my work I currently have two books available that can be obtained through the links below.

Velvet Death – The Dark Poetry Anthology
http://www.lulu.com/content/177683

Velvet Paradox – The 2nd Dark Poetry Anthology
http://www.lulu.com/content/254973