by Julie Steiner

• “Cruise passengers who spent up to £680,000 on three-year trip stranded in Belfast for three months: The ship, ‘Odyssey’,
had planned to depart for the three-year voyage on 30 May”
—The Independent, August 2024
• “Moon landing goes sideways: Odysseus mission will be cut short after craft tipped over”
—USA Today, February 2024
• “Active recalls affecting the Honda Odyssey: 67”
—Cars.com, March 2024

Will treks you bless
be hiccup-free,
or choke? I’d guess,
from past debris,
their destiny.
(Asphyxia’s.)
But don’t mind me,
Odysseus.

It’s S.O.S.—
not V.I.P.—
that should impress
in your C.V.
Yet your I.D.
can tizzy us
with travel glee,
Odysseus.

You journeyed, yes,
from A to B,
but hurry-less
and haltingly.
I’m Odyssey-
sus-pish-y-ous.
But few agree,
Odysseus:

“What shipwreck spree?
Awe-dizzy us,
Ship Rex! (I.e.,
Odysseus!)”