A poem by Loreen Ridge © 1998
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It took years of effort and training with the best on the sea in both sail and modern steam to make an officer of me. Yet blistering hands among the ropes was easier by far than assuaging tempers of a crew, mid-ocean, The war: A verbal spar. Yes, it took much more training developing inner strength to be an officer for White Star on a ship of such great length and power, and breadth, entrusted to the hands of men who kept a level head. You know the story, or all that matters, and it disturbs my rest to see good people tossing thorny insults when they should agree to disagree about the vaguaries of history and about the end of me! I didn't know, nor could I guess Such conflict would be my legacy... It was in the line of duty I gave all that was mine to give: my life... For which I owe no apology. |
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