'66 Dodge Dart - Shakespeare's Monkeys

'66 Dodge Dart

I have fond memories of this little ride.

She entered my life in the late ‘60’s

A small, seemingly insignificant addition

Into our family of four.

I never could have imagined

The impact her existence

Would have on my life.

Pristine white, with only two doors,

Standard shift, three speed on the column

And no air conditioner to chill our skin.

She taught me to drive

Or rather, how to 'not' engage her gears

In order to get the optimum performance

From her tiny motor.

Who knew that six slanted cylinders

And a teenagers imagination

Could travel so far in life.

Her back tires squealed with delight

Or possibly with fearful anticipation

Each time that I popped the clutch

And crammed the gas pedal to the floor.

I was in my early teens when we met

Our love grew with each passing year.

She even followed me

Into my adult life.

As her aging body gave way to rust

I bought her another one to wear.

Her valiant soul purred on

Through three bodies all together.

When she retired from road travel

She was wearing a ‘71 Dodge Demon body

In a most alluring shade of sky blue.

Her antiquicated oil pump

Only managed to give 7 pounds of pressure

On the trip to her retirement home.

I cried at the loss of her

Yet rejoiced in the memories

That we gave each other.

Comments

Anstey -

I wonder if this might make a better prose piece. As poetry, it seems to be lacking a certain evocative quality.

I keep thinking about this, because I hate to be negative and unconstructive. I don't hate this, i felt nothing. That, to me, is worse. It is perfectly decent writing -- but there seems no point to it. I don't find any greater purpose. I am probably being ridiculously difficult here. The voice is clear, the writing is vivid and easily accessible -- that i love. It all comes down to a lack of direction. What are you saying with this? Why is it relevant to your audience?

stephan

Rene -

Actually, she is in a novel that I am in the process of writing right now (thanks to my creative writing instructor). I wrote this poem at his request but I do agree with you here. It definitely makes for a better prose piece because there is so much more pertinent information about her in the story.'

I may post a piece of the story after school is out and try to get some feedback on it too.

Thanks!

I am orbiting, I don't know where, but I am orbiting something!

Anstey -

I am glad you're working with it. It's an excellent image, and clearly has a lot of meaning to you in your life

-----

stephan