Port in Cleveland, borne to Cleveland with a game crew.
Why are ships called ladies? I guess that’s the style.
Fully loaded, nonexplosive cargo came to
ship that’s borne to Cleveland, holds ore in big piles.

In a while she’s gonna shove off, borne to Cleveland.
On this wintry day is it safe to depart?
Off she steams, cargo brought is an ore-schlep;
in the sky there’s a storm’s eye there.
The strong storm seals the deal, north of Cleveland.
The day is cold and lonely once the voyage starts.

No one’s smiling post-shoveoff and borne to Cleveland;
orage blow-rage booms and busts the boat apart.
Water streams past strong bulkheads and doorsteps;
sailors cry there, wail then die there.
The strong storm’s a bum deal: short of Cleveland
the water, cold, rolls in the hold; the Fitz departs.

Scored, hewn, cleaved and borne to deep’s land.


I