Was a cold winter’s morn

When I boarded that one

cruise ship that sat all alone

in the harbor – no seagulls

circled overhead, but rather

thirteen vultures.

I know what you’re thinking

“Why would you go on that

rusted, creepy looking ship?”

I was recovering from a nervous

breakdown and my doctor told

me  the sea air would be good.

Other passengers brushed by

Me as I began to have second

and third doubts; however, it

was too late as the ship weighed

anchored and set a course for

parts unknown.

No lifeboat drills ensued, as I came

To realize there were none, only

rusted chains swinging in the dead

sea air; serving as a reminder of all

failed attempts to save anyone’s

hide; 13 sharks began to follow.

After I had settled in my cabin, a

Discouraging knock came at my door

“Dinner being served now, don’t be

late!”   I threw on my moth-eaten tux

and headed for the dining area, was

being accompanied by a female ghost.

I tried to play it cool as I saw all the

Passengers feeding their faces, the

food went down all right, straight to

the floor where rats were waiting; and

as toasts were made, broken bones

ensued; my date gave me a wink.

To make matters worse, the captain from

The Titanic was at the wheel; he just kept

spinning it like he was a game show host

I passed out and woke up hours later in the

ship’s sick bay; a rather decrypted doctor

tried to take my pulse – I had none.

I ran to look at myself in a mirror – no reflection

Appeared; my ghostly companion told me to

calm down; “My love, you’ve been dead for over

fifty years – you died on the Andrea Doria.” 

“Everyone on board are all victims of shipwrecks.”

“We go from port-to-port picking up the dead!”

‘2009’ RLS