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Strange majesty
In the red, white and blue.
You tower,
Broken backed but unbowed
As the tide retreats.

Held forever,
Dream of your realm
Of  flat horizons
As the tradewinds turn
The tracks of your tears
To rust.

Echoes of laughter
At the Captain’s table
Now the squabble and flit
Of gulls.
Eyeless portholes stare
As the sun picks peeling paint.      Photo by Ray Phillips.

The strong straight line
Of your absurd
Anchor chain
Moves me...

Keep your secrets.
There is  beauty
In your dereliction.

C.Barley 1997

Thanks to Carole Barley for the Poem. Carole visited the wrecked liner beached on the Canary Islands. For more information go to the Home page and check out S.S. Australis Home page by Ken Ironside, and Cabin 111 S.S. Australis tribute page by Doug Griffiths.