Analysis of AJAX

In the blindest cold that is the deep
This predator will silence keep
And vent the smell of hydrogen
Displaced to failing oxygen
As oil pervades the foulest air
The diesel and shale aroma share
For all around and far above
The shifting sea has lost no love

In silence lies this fish of steel
All crushing force about its keel
Whilst Ajax searches through the grid
To find this killer deeply hid
And while they wait this raging calm
Will take its toll on the chanced arm
Of any man that makes a sound
As Ajax reads this killing ground

Stripped now to waist the pouring sweat
Of frightened seamen soaking wet
Avoid the cause of echoed noise
Hid from the sonar in turquoise
Yet still they wait in air most foul
Now rendered still by sonar scowl
And as they languish hidden well
The sonar searches pinging tell

A contact found, blue three four O
Deep six the charges rolled to go
Now wait and time explosive force
Of sinking death a charged discourse
And watch percussion through the brine
Have they had enough is it their time?
Again, again the side blast hits
To shake loose bolts and fall to bits

Now wait the debris and the oil
A slick depicts the victor’s spoil
But not convinced by a floated corpse
Pass one more time with no remorse
And then it comes that dull thud blast
As ten sub mariners breathe their last
In a bubbled torrent at Ajax stern
One more U boat of no concern