The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Mon 11/17/2008)

[RetroLounge]

Cadillac

After waiting for the world’s longest train
to pull its last molasses car through the crossing

the Cadillac that had idled ahead
of my impatience drove to the main street in town

where smoke seeped from the undercarriage
like dry ice the little man driving

could not ignore, his white hair blurring,
his left turn abandoned, his car

ready to erupt like Vesuvius.
He pulled into a parking lot where I’m sure

he did not need my help: men’s blood
flows thick as motor oil, mine like barley soup,

and he was old enough to understand
how trouble crouches in the backseat,

rich enough to afford a car as long as a train,
someone who likes money and maroon.

I could have pulled up behind him
and held out my empty hands

or offered a cell phone I scarcely know how to use,
talked about how the morning sky was choking

on blubbery clouds but could make room
for his car’s inexplicable effusion,

said turn off the engine, you’re too young
to explode and that withered darling at home

would miss you. Your car has fizzled
but you made it past the blinking red lights

and red bells that gave respite
to your life’s boredom. Now you have

a problem and the train is mere speck.
When bubble bath froths your fenders,

it’s a sign this Eldorado may not make it
on the long road to Armageddon.

Joanne Lowery

***********

:hi:

RL

[blueraven95]

1. morning,

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

7. Evening!

:hi:

RL

[Chorophyll]

2. ...

The best poems are always about (or inspired by) the regular stuff that happens every day. :)

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

8. Yup!

:hi:

RL

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. ~

:donut: :hi:

[RetroLounge]

9. ...

:hi:

RL

[YankeyMCC]

4. Hey nt

[RetroLounge]

10. Hey

:hi:

RL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. My dear Retro!

Oh, nice!

How sweet when you can take something so ordinary, and make it stand out...

Thank you!

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

11. ...

:hi:

RL

[BlueIris]

6. Ahhhhhh. nt

[RetroLounge]

12. Yup

:hi:

RL