Ol' Bess Was a Bust

Young and single, just got a job in a neighbour town, Thought I’d buy a flashy car so I could get around, My boyfriend at the time said that I should get a Camaro, It was new, orange and shiny, how could I be so narrow. I crowned her Bess and drove her home with pride, All my friends called, they wanted to go out for a ride. Summer was so much fun, what a splash I was making. Then gone, both summer and the boyfriend I was dating. Winter rolled in with tons of snow and patches of ice, Getting to work in my Camaro, was like rolling the dice. Ol’ Bess would skid to the left and swerve to the right, Wow, I held on to the steering wheel with all my might. So I resigned that Bess was not good in cold weather, Even with snow tires, she blew around like a feather. Then suddenly a new quirk started as I turned on the key, She spluttered, oh great, guess I won’t make the grand prix. Bess would start well at times then for no good reason, She’d stammer, then stop, reek of gas - in any season. Bess and I visited many auto repair shops by way of a tow, The carburetor was like a fountain, out of it the gas would flow. Apparently a carburetor is needed to make Bess purr, So I had it rebuilt, then replaced, oh the bills, what a blur, Then a starter motor and strut, remember Bess is brand new, After three years of aggravation, I traded her in, I was through! Guess a cool single girl may look good in a splashy sports car, But if your car doesn’t start or run, you won’t get too far. So I put on my sunglasses, look cool but feel like a real wart, As I drive to work in sleet and snow in my old Ford Escort. Written for Contest “Driving Me Crazy” Won 6th Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

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Guzzi Avatar
September 8, 2011 at 5:06 PM
What a great memory and a finely told tale! Congrad's light & love
Kendrick Avatar
September 8, 2011 at 4:13 PM
Congrats on your win in the great contest..Sara
Johnson Avatar
September 7, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Great writing. Slow and steady is the way to go. Congratulations.. Love, Joyce
Williams Avatar
September 7, 2011 at 12:39 PM
hey Lee congrats on your win, think i bought it after you, ha ha ha ..David
Brown Avatar
September 7, 2011 at 10:56 AM
Congratulations on your placement in this contest Lee. Love, Carol
Sweetheart Avatar
September 7, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Congrats Lee on your big win with this cool write luv.. excellent as I read before..
Ramsdale Avatar
September 7, 2011 at 10:23 AM
Congratulations on your placement in the "Driving Me Crazy" poetry contest sponsored by Paula Swanson. CR
Sweetheart Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 12:11 PM
wow a wonderful story Lee and told with humor and fun lines.. good luck in the contest..luv.. a top notch piece and I had a Bess too but her name was Gypsy .. as I luv to roam in my wheels..oh..
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 12:31 PM
It really happened but didn't seem so funny at the time... glad I can laugh now Do you still have Gypsy? Lee
Lane Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 9:55 AM
I drove a Dodge pick-up. Then I got a new Mustang. I had the same problem in snow. Now I drive a four wheel drive Ford pick-up. Much more my speed. Tony
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 12:31 PM
I know, but you look good in the mustang right? okay the Ford pick up too. Thanks Lee
Smith Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 12:35 AM
My first, an Austin Healy sports car, was cool. I was so glad, though, when I traded to a four door Ford sedan; same reasons. love your poem.
Ramage Avatar
August 29, 2011 at 12:40 AM
Thanks John. It sort like shoes now.... I used to wear heels now I wear flats, they are more practical. Take care Lee
Dietrich Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 11:52 PM
hahaha this is great. Everyone else's cars are making mine not look so bad. Mine fell apart so quickly after I got her, I didn't have to struggle for long with her! I enjoyed this. I bet it does well in the contest.
Ramage Avatar
August 28, 2011 at 11:56 PM
Thanks. Don't you just hate cars! They are always breaking down. Take Lee
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