Life of Wry

I was one of a gazillion folks around the globe watching days of speculation about the fate of that crazy submersible off the coast of Newfoundland, somewhere in the vicinity of the Titanic. I stayed up late a couple of nights waiting for info (no good news).. and then checked in first thing in the mornings hoping they’d been found and brought to the surface in a heroic rescue. The world, feeling ill, watched the oxygen clock tick down and I am sure everyone imagined the claustrophobic horror of days on end cramped in that tiny space, lost at sea, without communication. Stuff of nightmares.

It was determined yesterday that, in fact, there’d been a catastrophic implosion (official term) within a couple hours of the Ocean Gate launch last Sunday, and, thankfully, the crew had perished before they knew what hit them. At least no suffering. But… damn. Just horrific in every way. There were five passengers, including a father and son. They should not have been there.

~~

While David Bowie was talking about a space flight in this song, it works for an underwater journey, as well. It’s haunting.. and a real gut punch.

Ground Control to Major Tom

Ground Control to Major Tom

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom

Commencing countdown, engines on

Check ignition and may God’s love be with you

This is Ground Control to Major Tom

You’ve really made the grade

And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear

Now it’s time to leave the capsule, if you dare

This is Major Tom to Ground Control

I’m stepping through the door

And I’m floating in a most peculiar way

And the stars look very different today

For here am I sitting in a tin can

Far above the world

Planet Earth is blue

And there’s nothing I can do

Though I’m past one hundred thousand miles

I’m feeling very still

And I think my spaceship knows which way to go

Tell my man I love him very much, he knows

Ground Control to Major Tom

Your circuit’s dead, there’s something wrong

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

Can you hear me, Major Tom?

Can you-

Here am I floating ’round my tin can

Far above the Moon

Planet Earth is blue

And there’s nothing I can do

~~

May they rest in peace.