A Shadow in the Water

Introduction

"A Shadow in the Water" is a novella set in the Pacific during WWII. A kaiten is a manned torpedo, the aquatic equivilent of the kamikaze plane, used by the Japanese during the closing days of WWII. The poem has nothing to do with the story really, just there for atmosphere. (Or is it?)

KAITEN

Steel surrounds me
Swift metal beast
I am its heart
Water surrounds steel

I am a shark
With fire in my stomach
I see my prey
Cold, unsuspecting ship

On through the sea
The speed of a dolphin
I see my prey
How large it looms!

Great pregnant beast
Your belly full of men
You see me not
I am your death

My heart is a bell
Its peal thick and strong
On through the night!
On and on!

So near now your shadow
My eyes tear with joy
Steel meets steel
And I am glory.