Poem: May 21, 2019

New Car

Getting a car loan is like getting engaged.
When you've had enough bouncing around
every three years among the youngest models,
with their clean lines, free from scratches and
dents, when you are ready to stop leasing and
make a commitment, and you know that means
for better or for worse, like when the bozo in
the Aldi parking lot dings your door, you're
going to have to choose whether you got
hitched to the paint job or the potential of
high mileage and reliability and safety features,
and all of the carpet stains and fender scratches
that come with the miles of highway scenery,
and weekend getaways, and room enough
for all the gear, and summer nights at the
drive-in, and lunches on the go, and homework
on the way to school. Each year settling in
further and coming to terms with all those
crayons and popcorn and McDonalds fries,
watching the latest styles passing by, shining
in their bright colors, their perfect skins, and
knowing that this is until death do you part,
until the day the transmission gives out on
the first leg of family vacation, and you
have to call the salvage yard to carry her away.