1.

My ride began in jail.

Julio was in the clink,

so I sprung for his bail.

He needed to sign the title,

but his SSN was fake.

Cell doors slammed behind him.

Oh hear!

2.

And now she is all mine!

R-R-R-R and a belch of exhaust,

eight cylinders sounding fine,

three hundred fifty-one cubic inches

of detonating displacement enshrine

her roadway dominance.

Oh Hear!

3.

Respect from New York cabbies,

two menacing chrome bumpers ,

like claws of giant tabbies.

The driver doesn’t seem to care

what hits his Cougar. Crazies

screech and honk in fear.

Oh Hear!

4.

And now my tender passengers,

snack in spacious seats.

After-school hungry teenagers.

listen to my instructions:

“DO NOT TALK TO DRIVER.” Challengers

anyone? “NO RADIO

in Manhattan or on the Bridge.”

Oh hear!

5.

I’ll repair demanding things

as I try to tame this Cougar.

Alarming gas consumption wrings

excess cash from me. Shade-tree

mechanic, I learn how she sings,

tune her up until she purrs.

Oh hear!

6.

Her engine has turned silent,

coolant starts to leak.

Her revs no longer strident,

mileage past her peak.

Her muffler non-compliant,

no more can she speak.

Oh hear!