Inside the cramped room that overlooked the pool,
The air was hot and heavy,
Filled with clouds of cigarette smoke.
The people were crowded around a table
Covered with gin bottles
And buckets of ice.
They were laughing and joking
And slapping each other on the back.
It is to the memory of our submarines
Lost during World War II.
The memorial lasted a few minutes.
The names of the sunken subs were called.
A bell was rung
And a white mum was tossed into the pool.
The Navy hymn was played
And finally taps.
The ceremony was over.