Thor, the Norse God of Thunder, had a hammer named Mjölnir. Mjölnir was considered a fierce weapon that could level mountains and summon lightning with every blow. In this poetry blog, every Thursday, (Thor’s Day), Mjölnir will forge only song - sing of the mysteries and beauties of the world.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

CAR WASH

Two hippies
and a mongrel dog
on a leash.
White man,
black woman,
both with ponytails.
The man attempts
to heel and sit the dog.
It is a pitiful show
of his authority.
The woman heads to
the convenience store
to get the couple a snack
while they wait
for their truck
to be touchlessly washed.
An attendant maneuvers
their pick-up around
the busy lot.
A tall, thin black man,
head in a stocking,
long leather jacket
to the knees,
struts and swaggers,
swings his arms.
The bottom cuff 
of his jacket catches
the fender of the couple’s truck
jerking him backwards.
In one swift move
he unhooks himself, his stride
barely broken. 
He struts and swaggers on.
That would’ve been some ride,
he says smiling
to those watching.
The woman exists the store
with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream bars
in her hands, her man
is still trying to get the dog 
to follow his command.
The woman walks up to the pooch,
lifts her palm face up,
says sit, the dog goes down.
The woman looks up 
and suddenly screams.
Her pick-up is up against
a metal pole and the driver,
an attendant, is driving unawares.
The pole is scraping the side door.
The driver keeps driving.
Oh my go! Oh my god!
she screams, a death scream.
Oh my go! Oh my god!
She runs over to her truck.
The driver, a Hispanic man,
now leans his head out the window.
His face is sad, sad because
it is always sad.
He stops driving and continues
to look sad and vacant
at the pole against the door.
Oh my go! Oh my god!
The woman grips her head
and falls over herself at the waste,
rocking back and forth,
back and forth.
Every one is now looking.
Everyone at the car wash
is now terrified, naseaus
with fear and dread
at what horrible thing
has happened to this hippie-woman,
because they don't know
what you and I know.
Attendants and a manager
come running.
Apologizes are made, immediately.
An offer is made – Insurance
will cover the damage, do not worry!
The woman is suddenly silent.
With the matter handled
and the commotion over,
everyone goes back to their business.
The woman now walks to her man
and the mongrel dog
and says, Was I loud enough?
Yes you were! Yes you were!
She looks to the dog who is
once again standing.
Sit, she says, and the dog sits.


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