Notes About The Poem

April 15, 1912 

Sermon On The Sea

Beneath the stars and the calm black of night, the mighty ship, Titanic, slipped beneath the waves her grandeur; now a memory, drowned in frantic flight, and souls adrift, untethered, braced against what came after

Cold foam and wind-swept faces, the ocean’s roaring breath, rafts half-submerged, remembering, bearing hope as we can see our breath; no shining gold, no titles, just life suspended over death, and strangers bound together in a night’s shadow dread

Somebody whispered, “Let us pray,” a fragile shivering plea, unsure what creed each held, yet hearts beat with one desire; Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian united on the sea, recited the Lord’s Prayer voices rising, spirits higher

No millionaires distinguished, their riches washed away, no poor to pity, nor wisdom to boast, nor pride to claim; all were simply human souls, adrift where mortals stray, their hearts exposed and yearning, calling out Jesus' name

The night was thick with silence, the stars withheld their speech, The raft, half underwater, carried us who carried prayers; and in that darkness, faith rose up an invisible hand to reach each, saw by inner light an unseen Friend who once walked this thoroughfare

And in their shared supplication, sorrow melted into grace, for whether saved for this life or given rest unto eternal life; God answered every prayer, not in ways that commonly would be, But with the gift of presence, love, and merciful Light

In faithful prayer let us remember Who was there. His stripes led to the patibulum and stipes: paid the price; He is our Hope as in unity blooms, transcending all divides and parts, As God bowed to listen to the trembling, earnest hearts

Now, when the sea is calm and black the night seems long and cold, remember those who prayed together, their courage quietly bold; For in the depth of tragedy, when all distinctions fold, Humanity and faith shine brightly more precious than gold

So let us honor those who knelt upon uncertain seas, who found solace in each other and in prayer’s gentle ease; May their memory remind us, in unity, we find peace and that hope like stars above endures beyond the deep
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

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