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Written after hearing of the sinking Estonia ferry sailing from Estonia to Sweden, September 1994

Whatever the torment
the torture of cold tongues of water
icy
breathless
shocked
bewildered
lost
despairing
begging
pleading
praying

whatever the horror
nightmares alive like sharp knives
open wounds
there is no preparation for this
never
ever

I would still travel
I will board ferries
I will fly
motorcycle
swim
run
walk
climb
ski
skate
roll
surf

It may be that way
the way to say yes
you were right to have travelled
and right to have been there
even though the tongues of icy
perishing, foaming waters lapped over
and devoured you
You were right to seek and see
to wonder abroad
I praise you.