David Hill Road by Mark Thalman

David Hill Road
by
Mark Thalman

Whoever owned this '54 Chevy sedan

must not have been a mechanic

or a conjurer who could raise machinery

from the dead. Instead, too cheap

to have it towed, the car rests

in a traffic of weeds.

Seed tufts poke through the grill

like steam issuing from an overheated radiator.

Plum trees blossoming form clouds of exhaust,

while a blackberry vine, a policeman, taps

at the driver's window.

On clear summer nights,

under the bright headlight of the moon,

crickets hum a well tuned engine.

The Chevrolet appears to be speeding through

the soft blue landscape into tomorrow—--

rushing into the future

of its own slow decay.

This poem first appeared in Pedestal Magazine.
Used here with the author's permission.

Mark Thalman has been widely published for five decades and is the author of three poetry collections: Stronger Than the Current, The Peasant Dance, and Catching the Limit. Retired after teaching English in public schools for 35 years, he is also an artist who enjoys painting wildlife and seascapes with acrylics. Mark lives in Forest Grove, Oregon; learn more about him at www.markthalman.com.

Buckner14:
I smiled all the way through this one!
Posted 06/22/2013 06:43 PM

Jo:
What an eye for detail. Traffic of weeds, the blackberry vine tapping at the window. The last line too stay with me--the Chevrolet appears to be speeding through the soft blue landscape... Thanks Mark.
Posted 06/22/2013 04:52 PM

Ginny C.:
Great poem with vivid imagery! Mark, you helped that old wreck come back to life by describing it with such loving attention to details.
Posted 06/22/2013 10:14 AM

tiddles:
Love the blackberry vine tapping at the window. Great image. Great poem.
Posted 06/22/2013 08:09 AM

pwax:
I don't know whether it's speeding or idling, but I can see it perfectly! Good poem!
Posted 06/22/2013 08:07 AM

Donna Pflueger:
From beginning to end, you drove me along in that car. I agree with the other comments, tight and mobile! Thanks, Mark. I really enjoyed reading your poem.
Posted 06/22/2013 08:01 AM

gailcomorat:
Terrific phrasesâ"a traffic of weeds," "bright headlight of the moon." Very tight, and lots of fun to read!
Posted 06/22/2013 07:25 AM

TheSilverOne:
What insight! This poem was a joy to read.
Posted 06/22/2013 07:00 AM

r1manchester:
great poem! best describtion yet of a junk car...perfect!
Posted 06/22/2013 04:08 AM

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