Grave Goods: The Titanic

A gold linked bracelet, ‘Amy' set in diamonds A pocket watch from a Titanic steward (Time stopped for both of them at ten to two) The first class dining menu, all ten courses, Last supper the well-heeled would ever eat The waistcoat of a third class passenger (William Henry Allen) , an exhibit A baker's hat once worn by Billy Hine A doorknob- steward's keys- a broken porthole Grave goods, like holy relics, from the deep The violin that Wallace Hartley played As the ship sank- a gift from his fiancé He never saw his baby that she bore Glasses- mesh purse- a brushed bowler hat Bronze cherub from the glittering grand staircase All auctioned for collectors, grim survivors What of the bodies frozen stiff as ice floes? Crewmen were treated to a cold sea burial Second and third class travellers were embalmed Stitched up in canvas(those who were retrieved) First class, preserved, sailed home in proper coffins One must observe the niceties in death.