Titanic Undertaking ( Subject Prompt)

It's hard to see beyond the swirls

We'll have to wait a while

Until the muddy water clears

We're deep, more than a mile

The dark down here, much like the Styx

Constraining, pressing down

The light we have, twin shafts of bright

Show things that cause a frown

The clouds of mud precipitate

And clear the view ahead

A sterile plain, not now pristine

Detritus of the dead

We've known for years that she was here

It took this long to see

Twelve thousand feet below the waves

There's only you and me

And all the things flung from her holds

From forces none could stand

A traveled trunk with Deadwood tags

That show Bill Hickok's hand

There's a strobing flash of light

Reflecting glass and brass

A rich girl's music box is found

Toe dancer showing sass

Like any grave site in the air

Respect is much required

The images that we take back

Leave treasures safely mired.

Richard Higley © Feb 2012