Incomparable Maiden

It was her first time out in the world
and away from home,
but she was well chaperoned;
accompanied by
a large group of admirers.

She was beautiful,
formed to perfection,
and a maiden;
so special that
everyone in her presence
was exhilarated...
intoxicated.

Such great things were expected.
Such a pity that others
idolized her
and challenged God
on her behalf.
Such a tragedy
that she was so unprepared,
that so many people failed in their duty
to make her ready.

She was betrayed,
but those with her paid
the same price as she did.
She met her cold hearted suitor
in the middle of the sea.
He could not resist her beauty,
and came near to feast on it...
too near.
It was another case of
fatal attraction.

He brushed against her
with his icy touch
and she could not withstand
his seduction.
'Come with me' he said,
'and I will make you a legend.
Everyone will know your name;
you will never be
forgotten.'

Too late, she saw the trap.
There was no room
to turn away.
He caught her and crushed her
in his strong icy arms.
As she died,
sinking into a deep salty grave,
others called her name in terror.
'No!' they cried. 'Don't die,
for if you do....
we must die too.'

Weeping bitter hopeless tears that
merged with the sea,
she turned on her side
and sank into death.
Oh, how the world mourned
her passing:
this incomparable maiden
that was lauded as unsinkable.

But no one puts flowers on her grave.
Good-bye Fair Maiden;
Farewell Titanic.

Copyright � 2000 Shoshana Kurzweil

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