Fish eye lens - what does it really mean?

3) space time continuum is distorted in that area

They are both very warped. The one on the distant left is worse than it looks in the picture, as part of the warp is angled toward the camera. The question is whether it happened over time, or if the City of Cleveland had warped poles and put them up anyway

We have lots of poles like that in my area. (Central Florida)

Some are actually leaning as a result of hurricane. Some are badly warped. I think none of them were perfectly straight when they were put up. My understanding is, over time, tension of wires and natural aging of the wooden poles causes them to warp in various directions. Also, naturally sandy soil and severe rain in summer around here doesn't help keeping them standing up straight either.