Those Who Live in Grass Houses

Submarine

Submarine

Ping
the steel walls close in
sweating with the breath
of bodies crammed in
sardines in darkest deeps
sunless and pressing
the ocean tightens grip

Ping
trembles the riveted floor
the engines urgent
belly expelling water
as harboured air
forced into the tanks
the dial creeps round
its sweep a promise
to the surface

Ping
pressure easing now
metal singing in relief
human tension easing
as up periscope rings
and the smooth cylinder
rises to offer its single eye
to sighted captain’s will

Ping
then up she rises
rolling now in boisterous swell
first conning tower
then curving flanks
to break the swirling seas
hatch released with splash
and scent of wild sea air.


House Martell

Line count: 32, word count: 114
For {{item:got} The North Remembers, Under the Sea 46
Prompt: First time in a submarine.