~The Dragon Flies Lair~

Heh, I refuse to let life get in the
way of my poetry. I'm a bit stubborn.
I therefore have no life at all 'cause
it's all my poetry. Not that I mind...
It gives me more time to write. It's
actually a slightly vicious cycle. Now
if I could just get these voices to
shut up for a minute... ;-)

921 posted on 09/29/2003 11:29:08 AM PDT by Darkchylde (Publishable Menacing Inc.)

Scapa Flow is a sheltered open lagoon, encircled by the Orkney islands.

The Royal Oak is a war grave. The sinking of the Royal Oak during the early weeks of the Second World War was a national disaster. Although she was over 25 years old, the battleship was considered to be robust and strong enough to resist enemy attack. This faith proved to be unwarranted.

On 13th October 1939 the large battleship was lying at anchor near the port of Scapa on the southward side of Kirkwall. She was acting as anti aircraft cover for the capital city. The night was cold and quiet. Under cover of darkness a German U boat made a daring entry into Scapa Flow through the narrow channel of Kirk Sound between two of the islands surrounding the Flow. Once inside the German commander surveyed the scene. He expected to find a number of British warships at anchor, but only the Royal Oak was left to defend the naval anchorage. So just after midnight, despite the blackout, the U boat located the great warship and prepared to launch a torpedo attack. Shortly before 1 am it launched the first of two salvoes. This scored a minor hit which did not unduly alert the crew of the Royal Oak. Twenty minutes later the second salvo arrived with devastating consequences. 3 direct hits sent the 600 ft battleship to the sea bed in just under 11 minutes. Over 800 men perished - some trapped within the boat, others simply drowning in the bitingly cold waters of the Flow. Thankfully, a small naval tender - the Daisy 2 - managed to save nearly 400 men.

The Navy reacted quickly. On 15th October nets were spread over the wreck to catch any floating bodies. Divers went down to inspect the wreck. Some ascended in horror at the sight of the suspended, drowned bodies that they encountered. Men were found jammed in the portholes as they tried in desperation to get out of the wreck. Oil slicks abounded. The wreck was quickly declared a war grave. It remains so to this day. No diving is allowed on this wreck unless with the express permission of the Royal Navy. Since the wreck is so near to the mainland, this prohibition is rigorously and effectively maintained. Nobody dives the Royal Oak except for an annual remembrance dive conducted by Navy divers.

The battleship lies in 30 metres on her port side at an angle of 45 degrees. Her hull is only 7 - 8 metres below the surface. Even to this day, a slow seepage of oil continues to escape the wreck. It is most poignant to approach the wreck marker buoy and see the oil globules breaking the water and watch the echo sounder. Her shape is clearly visible. Indeed it possible to see the hull as you pass over it.

922 posted on 09/29/2003 12:59:42 PM PDT by SAMWolf (BEWARE - Tagline Thief is in the area)

923 posted on 09/29/2003 1:00:09 PM PDT by SAMWolf (BEWARE - Tagline Thief is in the area)

Sis and I twisted up some songs.
That was one of them, done right after a telemarketer had called and wanted to know if my sis wanted to buy something.
Not sure what it was.

She was P.O'd, and we bent up the song a little to express our outrage..
And the rest is history.
*chuckle*
Glad you liked it.

924 posted on 09/29/2003 1:06:33 PM PDT by Darksheare (Attention DU lurkers, a conservative group may be operating in your area.)

Thanks. A very thorough reply.

925 posted on 09/29/2003 1:13:49 PM PDT by Graewoulf

You're Welcome, Graewoulf.

926 posted on 09/29/2003 1:58:04 PM PDT by SAMWolf (BEWARE - Tagline Thief is in the area)

Yes, Dark, radu has a sick puter.

927 posted on 09/29/2003 2:13:49 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (Poets' Know the Unknown~Look out ms feather this is something on your head!!)

928 posted on 09/29/2003 2:51:18 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Know the Unknown~)

Wow Sam I can't imagine a more horrible death.

929 posted on 09/29/2003 2:54:00 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Know the Unknown~)

Flurry, so good to see you, we understand about work. Just pop in when you can.

930 posted on 09/29/2003 2:57:01 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Know the Unknown~)

I hate work. The past couple of weeks have been very busy. It is downright distracting.

931 posted on 09/29/2003 2:59:30 PM PDT by Conspiracy Guy (The big picture is missed by those who focus on pixels.)

It (work)certainly is distracting. I don't have to do that anymore!! Been there done that.

Now, I can take it easy and get bored fast.

932 posted on 09/29/2003 3:02:03 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Know the Unknown~)

OKers.
*sniff*
Wonder what is wrong with it, and if it was anything like what my previous system did to me..

933 posted on 09/29/2003 3:22:32 PM PDT by Darksheare (Attention DU lurkers, a conservative group may be operating in your area.)

Sis and I twisted songs up like this often.
But we only saved a few down to disk...
*chuckle*
Thanks.

934 posted on 09/29/2003 3:25:23 PM PDT by Darksheare (Attention DU lurkers, a conservative group may be operating in your area.)

935 posted on 09/29/2003 3:26:07 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Know the Unknown~)

To: bentfeather; SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; Flurry; Darksheare; All

I've had the phrase "at a loss for words"
in my head for a bit, but it wasn't going
anywhere, so I thought of a substistute.

You're looking at me, but I can't speak.
Suddenly my voice is weak.
I don't know what to say
'cause the words get in the way.
I just want you to know
how much I love you so.
But try as I may,
the words get in the way.
So we move apart
& a pain is kindled in my heart
'cause I just want you to stay,
but the words get in the way.
One day I call at last
only to learn you have passed.
The voice on the line asks if there be
any kind words or condolences from me.
I swoon then I sway
& what do I say?
"The words get in the way.".

936 posted on 09/29/2003 3:26:21 PM PDT by Darkchylde (Publishable Menacing Inc.)

Chylde,

This is a very sad, and at times, ohhh so true poem.

937 posted on 09/29/2003 3:29:22 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~Poets' Know the Unknown~)

Nice one

"The words get in the way.".

There's a song in there somewhere. ;-)

938 posted on 09/29/2003 3:34:36 PM PDT by SAMWolf (BEWARE - Tagline Thief is in the area)

It came to mind after recalling something a friend
had posted in her info section on AOL IM. She's
changed it since, but it said something not too
different from my poem. To summarize, two friends
had lost contact, though they didn't live far from
eachother. It's from one friends point of view. He
always thought of getting in touch again, but put it
off till tomorrow. One day he's told his friend died.
I'd copy it over, but like I said, she changed it.

939 posted on 09/29/2003 3:42:14 PM PDT by Darkchylde (Publishable Menacing Inc.)

Egads.
So it's not like my previous system then.
It's worse.

940 posted on 09/29/2003 3:43:29 PM PDT by Darksheare (Attention DU lurkers, a conservative group may be operating in your area.)

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