God
loves us
all
then si-
lence
Don’t buy this car for shine or speed,
this one is special, just what you need.
The kind of peace a road alone can't hold,
the warmth of this metal feels illegal to be sold.
Its seats have softened storms and fears,
they’ve carried every feeling through the years;
and when your own days twist or break,
this car will steady what you take.
Its windows frame the world with grace,
its miles will meet you face to face;
it will teach your heart to breathe again,
to trust the road, to trust the wind.
So take the keys to this unreal steel.
It’s where your future learns to finally feel.
Mr. Abbott
Mr. Abbott bought a
steam powered Stanley
He felt it made him
look rather manly
He has a large
handlebar moustache
Constantly covered in
soot and ash
In his finery,
goggles and gloves
He would wave at his
imaginary loves
Over the hills
and over the dales
He would frequently stop
for supplies and sales
Horses would buck,
cows would “moo”
Whatever the terrain,
the Stanley got through
At the end of the day
back in the barn,
Mr. Abbott, in his chair
would weave a yarn
His stories were
colourful and bold
Renowned for being
exceptionally told
As the years drew past
the Stanley would sit
Stiffening up
becoming unfit
The trusty machine finally
rested in a meadow
Until today,
saved by Jay Leno
I like the way he takes that car
and makes it howl with such a yowl.
Some guys like to drive from A to B.
They keep it simple.
Others never notice how many see,
gaze at their wheels, their roofs, their doors.
But this one experiences the strangest of sensations.
What is he feeling as he takes that car,
making it yowl with such a howl?
His very gut reacts with strange and wacky whizz.
He goes from A to Z and back.
What an experience!
He gives such a strange ululation!
What, oh what, a sensation!
(16 Sep 2023)
An automobile
Run faster than a speed
A destiny's fate.
a deafening thud
seatbelt hurriedly fastened
a fender bender
a cell phone quickly hidden
s/he can't explain what happened
written January 26, 2022
The swish of some passing cars unnerving me still
With the rapid clack of my windshield wipers,
When, suddenly, I felt a most unwanted chill
Like the rapid hiss of a hundred captured vipers.
And I knew, at the worst time possible, my tire
Right front, passenger side, was now a crumble,
Just when my AAA card was about to expire,
So, I steered it to the berm feeling the flat rumble.
I sat sullen, waiting for the downpour to retire,
While several vehicles zip by me at ridiculous speeds
None of them, I understood, stopping to inquire
Why I was pulled over to the side … or my needs.
When the rain finally abated, and I shuffled outside
Four creaking vehicles stopped, offering me a ride!
written October 17, 2021
especially for "Onamatopoeia" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Emile Pinet
[Rhymes checked with rhymezone.com]
In a town where one’s car MUST IMPRESS
I am in a permanent state of undress
Without said car
I don’t go far
When I leave my lair
I walk everywhere
There are cats I greet
Even a human or two I meet
I have become fit
Bit by bit
My temper no longer frays
On L.A.’s “free”-ways
I am unlikely to injure or be injured
By drivers bothered and bewildered
Surely my mandatory health insurance account
Deserves a discount?
Whose Automobile is that? I think I know.
Its owner is quite happy though.
Full of joy like a vivid rainbow,
I watch him laugh. I cry hello.
He gives his Automobile a spin,
As he goes down the neighborhood the women grin;
The Automobile is smooth, fantastic and deep,
But he has promises to keep,
No driving on gravel roads nor in the rain
No tire driven rides in the snow with tire chains
Verrroom, virrrooom....
01/19/20
Written words by James Edward Lee Sr.©2020
You cannot change the past, as time is linear
Time is but a limited automobile.
It cannot move backwards.
It’s rear windows, a definite ebony.
It’s windshield wipers invisible to the eye.
You can drive
Awake, for the car does not drive itself or you
You drive it while it guides you
You are not your fate, but your fate is what you become
Whatever you mean
Fate takes you where it takes you
Fate is in control of your life
But so are you
Put your hands on the wheel
Foot on the gas
Drive, but don’t stop
You cannot change the past, but you can live in the present
Time is but a concept, fate is but a friend.
This friend has no end
For its end ended before a new you had begun
This car is Right, always moving Right.
When I shop for an automobile,
I don’t worry much about speed.
Good mileage per gallon I want.
A van or a truck I don’t need!
So I guess if shopped for a spouse
the way that I shop for a car,
that means that my man wouldn’t need
much fuel, but he still could go far!
And since I can’t stand vans and trucks
(preferring a car rather small),
my man, by those very same standards,
would not be too hunky at all.
Neither too slow nor too fast, my man
would be like a Mitsubishi
A Spyder Eclipse, rather cute,
and super efficient for me!
When I shop for an automobile,
looks matter! I love a great hue.
And sporty is nice, but oh my,
what guy in the world is light blue?
And finally this is a must -
I want a convertible top!
Does that mean that men with toupees
are spouses for whom I should shop?
The spouse I have now is not small
nor sporty; his color is grey!
He’s bald, so he’s somewhat a rag-top.
I could purchase for him a toupee!
When all my old cars put on miles,
I always considered a trade-in.
But now that I’m old like my spouse,
I don’t think I’ll go through that again!
If I shopped for my spouse like I shop for my automobile,
I’d be married to SMOKIN' RED HOT woman named Mercedes-
She’d wear black leather suits every day of the year,
and I’d show her off to all the other jealous ladies.
But…
If only my beloved Mercedes came with a button key,
I could turn her off and when I want I’D TURN HER ON!
We could drive zero to sixty in three point five seconds,
it really don’t matter as long as my Mercedes stays blonde!
And…
If she married me like I would marry a CLA-Class Benz,
My mission would have already been completed-
And then when we are on our sacred honeymoon,
ZERO to SIXTY on the beach would have to be repeated!
Finally…
If I shopped for my spouse like I shop for my automobile,
I’d make sure I’d pick someone with style and class-
Mercedes would most definitely have to be her name,
SMOKIN' RED HOT and chiseled, mixed with a lil’ bit of sass!
IF I SHOPPED FOR MY SPOUSE LIKE I SHOP FOR MY AUTOMOBILE
Cindi Rockwell
October 12, 2016
I don’t want what everybody has, that’s just not for me,
I look for one that’s different, not everyone’s cup of tea.
She’s not red and loud and flashy, racing down the track;
She’s not afraid to get muddy, but still looks good in black.
I want to take her top off, so she’ll blow back my hair,
Wide open with the doors off, so I can feel the air.
I would take her places, beautiful and warm,
But take comfort in the knowledge, she drives well through a storm
We’d take the road less traveled, not fearing hill or ditch,
And scale the steepest mountain, regardless of the pitch.
We’d get good and dirty, discover brand new places;
With the flashes of the fireworks lighting up our faces.
Get the water steamy, tear a piece out of my shirt,
Work up a good lather and caress away the dirt.
I’d take such good care of her, work to make her shine,
Marvel at her sparkle, and smile because she’s mine.
IF I SHOPPED FOR MY SPOUSE LIKE I SHOP FOR MY AUTOMOBILE - Poetry Contest
By Franklin Price
9/30/2016
If I shopped for my wife
As I shop for my car
I'd be much better off
Much better by far
Would remember the colors
The options and size
The attractive appearance
I see with my eyes
Will have others talking
As she moves down the street
All heads will be turning
Her style won't be beat
Now I must say
This thought will not go
My wife is not like
Any car that I know
It's best if she goes
And picks her own car
Then I'm much better off
Much better by far
Shopping for a wife's no science
So use your car for example
Kick her ankles for compliance
The way you kick tires for sample
Pull her dress high to see the works
Exactly like you'd hoist the hoods
Up high is where you'll find the perks
Down low is where they put the goods
Walk around behind this chassis
See how much baggage she will hold
Check her walk and look for classy
Watch for dimples to see how old
Now to the face to check the paint
How many coats have been applied
Does it cover scratches that taint
And has the hair been often dyed
Once you're happy with the looking
It's time to check the inner parts
Ask her if she's used to cooking
Or does she eat from little carts
Then it's time for the money shot...
Tell her you love her then stand back
She'll either purr or she will not
And you'll have your answer - or lack
One final thought before you start
You'll check the warranty, my friend
Ask her if "Til death do us part"
Causes her to grimace or grin
September 13, 2016
Sub Categories
Looking for the formal definition, structure, and history of this poetry form? Visit the Poetry Dictionary entry below. Then return to explore how PoetrySoup members bring the form to life through their own poems.