Thomas E. Fuller

Pre-dreadnought

Born in Brooklyn
Daughter of Steel and Water
Atlantic's Empress I was
Leviathan wrapped in gun metal.
On the High Seas, the Prussian feared me.
In Home Port, the arrogent British envied me.
I was Ocean's Own Death
Proud and cold and bright.
Then to be abandoned here
Powerless in bloodwarm waters
Like a distaff Lear
Concussion-gutted by indifferent daughters,
Until I slipped into the ignoble depths
And they did not even mark my resting place
Only my battle honors and bells remain
Forever on display in a landlocked state
Far from even the memory of the sea.

Underseaboot

They broke my back
With depth charges
Until the air inside
Bubbled out like frothy blood.
Crippled, I dove for the last time.
Now I wait for orders
From silent Berlin
While sharks admire
My broken lines
And take notes.

Thomas E. Fuller writes: My first poems were published in 1968. I was one of the editors of Unnameable Press' "Once Upon A Midnight." I am the Head Writer for the Atlanta Radio Theatre and have won two Mark Time Awards. With Brad Strickland I write the "Wishbone Mysteries" young adult series for Lyrick Press. I'm the Playwright in Residence for the Abracadabra Children's Theatre and teach Creative Writing at GSU's North Metro Center.