I Am Titanic

It’s a bit chilly but nothing too outrageous. It’s nothing I can’t handle. I was made for this. It’s my calling. It seemed like many days, months, years of hammering away and grinding at my foundations to build me up to what I am today. I don’t know how I know but I know today is the day. I hear people talking and sharing their excitement. They speak of my glory and indestructibility. “There has never been a more magnificent ship!” I hear. My motor fills with pride. Master lets out a boastful toot of my horn and I feel little steps board the deck. Some light steps and some heavy but all moving quickly not wanting to miss any moment of the breathtaking voyage I will be commanding.

As Master guides me out into the ocean I can feel the currents wanting to pull me astray. I will not give in as I am powerful and unshaken by things as insignificant as currents or waves. My role is way too important for me to get distracted. I roll smoothly through the ocean so as to not disturb the thrill and galivanting that occurs through my halls. I see people dancing and sharing meals. Some people are only meeting for the first time and developing everlasting bonds. I bring people together. My existence is historic for all the right reasons. I don’t foresee anything that can bring me down.

As the voyage goes on I feel calm and satisfied. I mean I am doing such a wonderful job. I know everyone will be talking about this for years to come. Only good things I’m sure. The wind is blowing a little more icy today. The water is biting a little brisker at my panels. I’m only a little concerned but I won't shy away. I will continue full force through the water. May even help to warm me up. I try not to get distracted but I can’t help but share the joy people have as they laugh with others, tell jokes and make banter. I even feel a little warm when people share their first kiss or sneak around the halls. My thrill for the voyage is felt just as intensely as theirs.

Suddenly, I feel a shift in the mood. My happy go lucky passengers seem tense and nervous. I’m not sure why I-...Oh...my thoughts have seemed to carry me away from reality. It’s fine. I have this under control. I feel Master steer and I try to guide along with him. It’s dark and cold. The ice is built up so high, it would be a narrow escape. I will not lose hope. Although maybe my full force driving forward was too much. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so negligent to my passengers that I owe my success and fame to. My overcompensation has come back to bite me as hard as the waves are hitting me right now. Why can’t I move out of the way?

My panels, the hammering, the joy, the footsteps, the happiness, the love, the fear… it’s all coming back. I hear screams. I hear a crunch. I feel pain. How could this happen? Was my magnificence all show? All talk? The icy cold is engulfing me. The strength I felt earlier during the beginning of the voyage is fading. I feel dread and sadness as I see bodies sinking alongside me. The cries and screams for help are excruciating to hear. Although as I sink I feel slight peace as I see people fleeing safely. I worry about how they’ll tell this tale. I guess this is not the history I was intending to make. This is not the fame I wanted. I don’t want to leave the world like this. I don’t wa-