Work in Progress

Photo by RP Thomas

Starting the Bus

The Chevrolet kicked up dust

as Big Mike pulled up in front of

the house on Colver Road near Talent.

A few chips of caked rust fell from

the trunk as Mike pulled the cables out

of his toolbox.  Where’s Tex? he grumbled.

Tex had to leave, Lizzie said, something

had happened at the tavern; a fridge broke

down and Sam, that clown, couldn’t fix it.

I know Sam, Big Mike offered, and he can be

kind of dumb, but you don’t ever want to

sit with him at poker.  Lizzie blushed and

Picked up a brush that lay beside Mike’s

hammer; his head spun and he wanted to run

when Lizzie moved too close for comfort.

Soon nature took over and the sun shone bright.

Turning a wrench left with all his might, Mike

realized he’d best turn it right—small wonder.

Big Mike’s head felt light when the Harvester

started to hum.  Because a mechanic was Mike,

and not a bum—he adjusted the carburetor.

Leaving the Chevy with Lizzie, he drove away fast.

What in the hell had happened just then?  Big

Mike wondered, speeding safely away at last.

TS