by Kristine Korman

Stuck and stalling
grinding and groaning
choking on gasoline
the rusty jalopy
tries to get going
its dull red body
pitches forward
rolls back defeated
its gears are weak
corroding from time.

The driver remembers
as he pushes the clutch
how this car jumped lights
with the squeal of speed
leaving rubber on the road
its canvas roof folded down
exposing the leather seats
filled with laughing friends
catching everyone’s eyes
as it sped by.

The driver pumps the gas pedal
to move the faded white wall tires
the windows are milky with age
stuffing bulges from brittle seats
the engine does not start
the old car capitulates
but the old man
refuses this fate
he rests his bald head
on his gnarled hands
grasping the steering wheel
as the night descends upon them.