The Cruel Sea, The Cruel C

They say it’s going to be this generation’s Blitz

And it’s sure to be a direct hit on some survivors of the last one

Like a spiky floating mine that will tear breath to bits

There’s a new big C which we face together or lonesome

And a world war film to watch in which the enemy is not called Fritz 

The Cruel Sea, The Cruel C

Where’s the ‘I’ in this storm?;

Waving or drowning in the swell?

Will the torpedo or the depth charge

Lead us into hell?

And will we bury our humanity all at sea

Or uncover it whilst downing planes

And breathing deeper together one day;

Having learnt from the Cruel C how to be well?