April 10th, 1912

Fictitious diary entry.

April 10th, 1912

Dear Diary,

It was an Earl Grey tea kind of morning,
only served in a cracked builders mug,
it tasted ok, in a strange kind of way,
swigged down with a usual glug.
I said, “cheerio” to my brother
and gave my mother a hug
and then that was that,
not an eyelid to bat,
just a smile goodbye and a shrug,
now I’m off to start my job as mechanic,
onboard the RMS Titanic.

©️ 2022 Lathen Griffiths

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Oh my, and when I finished reading, I hoped he was one that got away. I still have images in my mind of people in life jackets, frozen in the water. An immense tragedy. A Maiden Voyage which should have been one of hope for so many. We are still fascinated by this ghost. Well written Lathe. Mind wandered to many scenarios on that liner. Brought the film back to me in full technicolour.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Aha! I love the O. Henry sort of twist at the end! This was a great pleasure to read. I enjoyed.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

This is the first, if not, in a long time, poem that I have read about the Titanic. Short, well written and yet it goes on beyond the last words in the reader's mind. tyfs I enjoyed the read.

[Lathen Griffiths]

Many thanks,

Lathen

[M. J. Smith]

Went to an exhibit where you were given a ticket as an actual passenger. At the end, you learned if you lived or died. I was given a mechanic. He lived. But the dreams that haunted me! Like these words, it was visceral. Well done, my friend.

[Lathen Griffiths]

That sounds like quite an exhibit and a clever way of pressing home the randomness of fate,

best wishes,

Lathen

[M. J. Smith]

Um, hate to... Quibble...
Wouldn't the date more accurately be 10 April, 1912? I was told that such things are done differently across the pond. Not that my teachers got everything right...
Still an excellent and haunting poem.

[Lathen Griffiths]

I think you’re referring to if it’s written numerically ie, 10/04/1912.

[M. J. Smith]

Ah! Thank you! Appreciate the correction. Where did I learn about the year first? Oh, don't mind me. 🙂
I'm just being silly. Thank you for your patience with this backward yank.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

a shrug, and five days later....

working on a ship frozen under the sea....ghost mechanics...
wave goodbye.

[Lathen Griffiths]

Thank you Jacob,

Lathen

[Ken Simm.]

Oh clever and thoughtful with just a hint of black whimsy. I like it.

[Lathen Griffiths]

Thank you Ken,

Best wishes,

Lathen