The Convergence of the Twain (I)

(Lines on the loss of the "Titanic")

I
In a solitude of the sea
Deep from human vanity,
And the Pride of Life that planned her, stilly couches she.

II
Steel chambers, late the pyres
Of her salamandrine fires,
Cold currents thrid, and turn to rhythmic tidal lyres.

III
Over the mirrors meant
To glass the opulent
The sea-worm crawls--grotesque, slimed, dumb, indifferent.

IV
Jewels in joy designed
To ravish the sensuous mind
Lie lightless, all their sparkles bleared and black and blind.
(tbc)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I do not know if anyone out there is familiar with this theory. Apparently each stanza was made to resemble an ice burg or the titanic it's self. Two short lines followed by a longer line. The ice burg is small above surface and quite large underneath. The Titanic had an impressive bow and stern deck size with a large section in the middle complete with four tall smoke stacks.