1.
we’ll see if we can slip through a corner
we’ll see if we can slip through a corner
as near Gibraltar as we can get
then dive and let ourselves drift through
and we burn less fuel
all ahead 2/3 speed
the navigator and I stay up here
course: 079
very kind of the enemy to show their navigation lights
four-zero four-zero
four-zero four-zero
what’s it like down there
dark and quiet
what was it about
it was about love
2.
Faster!
compressors! compressors!
all hands forward!
90 meters quick!
all hands aft everything aft!
Tiefenmesser 120 meters
no effect—
all right blow! blow!
now pull out! pull out!
170
190
he can’t hold her
200
210
210
two hundred forty
off the scale
(prayer)
280 meters but she’s still in one piece
very dark very quiet
3.
gaskets blow! taking on water! I need a wrench! I need damage reports! We’ve
had it! can’t stop the flooding
where’s the damn wrench
hey hold the light
we’re taking on water
compressors are dislodged
many battery cells cracked
(up to our waists in water)
it’s our only chance
without batteries we’ve had it
4.
but how can I dispose of my affections
appropriately Mr Lefroy
considering the circumstances
5.
(all that I will never know
never know)
6.
Captain all of our compressors are out of action
and radio contact is bad
do you think we have a chance sir
get the water out we must!
I guess it’s time to look things over.
7.
night — gnawing on an orange —
8.
do you want some glucose
some apple juice
all my friends are dead
we knew it at Vigo
9.
(my bathing suit is brown with white
polka dots)
tick tick tick tick
my eyes are blue
I’m sorry
it’s been fifteen hours
we’ll never do it
10.
to be fierce and proud
to need no one
the only thing I feel is afraid
11.
maybe it will be ok
good good
go and take a rest now
12.
if we make it
there’s half a bottle of beer apiece
blow all tanks!
olive green water
my eyes close
who knows what I am thinking
she’s rising
260 meters
250 meters
returning backwards to life
(breathing air as the hatch opens)
what was it about
it was about love
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