Code Bravo Poem by Ray Sinclair

Code Bravo

I died my nightmare,
in grey gunmetal quarters—
unsympathetic sea—
visceral terror,
ocean flooded grave.
Forever…
entombed— in Naval uniform
eternal peace,
floating,
still deep, dark water.
You shined a light
I didn't recognise you at first brother.
You don't know my name?
Code Bravo you called me.
I wrote a letter — you saw it in my back pocket.
Why didn't you take it?
Because you couldn't bear to know my name—
I lay over the doorway blocking your entrance,
you raised me by my legs,
there is no pain…
you watched me glide, sinking deeper, my ocean tomb.
Resting in peace, folding, heaped in a corner like a boneless doll—
Forever…
The torch light fading.
You are leaving never to return.
I am not alone—
eighteen brothers are with me.
Every year, on the hour bugles mourn, you will revisit me—
Tell our mothers we died with honour.
For they live our nightmares.

~Ray Sinclair 2021