Dockside cranes dancing

Tall and uniform and stately, Dockside cranes perform sedately, Tempoed `a la Handel's ``Largo,'' Gently cradling their cargo. Dockside cranes perform in place, Keeping their appointed space. Footloose, fleet, and fancy free Are outside their choreography.

Dockside cranes may condescend To genuflect. But when they bend To please a craning crowd, No giddy gestures are allowed.

Dockside cranes disdain to tango. Not for them the wild fandango. Save for rituals pavan-ish, Their repertoire avoids the Spanish.

Dockside cranes need no pavilion For their workaday cotillion. Weather foul or weather fair, They caper in the open air.