The prompt for What's going on is cars. Cars are something bringing me from A to B. They are Not just something but a synonym for freedom. I fought for that freedom. I had more lessons than I can count and was lucky that I didn't have to parallel park on my test. I just park a km further if I have to as that is still a nightmare.
Through the windshield
At first, cars didn’t set me
spinning with the stars.
My instructor sent me home
after two lessons
“You’ll never learn to drive,”
he said, after I cut the corner.
But the next one didn’t send me away.
He shifted me into an automatic,
and a few kind people
helped me practice, practice,
practice.
I swirled a little in my first Opel Kadet,
then steadied the wheel.
Slowly, I took the road to success,
conquering my dyspraxic mind.
Now our Lexus carries me
to the hills to walk,
to cafes to talk
a freedom I claimed
k by k
I came.
I steered.
I conquered.
I love the last three lines:
ReplyDelete"I came.
I steered.
I conquered."
And I say....good for you.
And it's so easy now, isn't it?
Your poem reminded me of the time my dad tried to teach ME to drive stick. We lived on a quiet street. I got in the car, and whenever I shifted there came the most AWFUL sound, as I didn't get the shifting right. I tried a few more times, was totally embarrassed by the sound, and finally I gave up. I was sure my father was relieved. I never DID master stick shift. Thank goodness for automatic!
Ha I remember learning to drive. I failed my first road test and was devastated but, my mother took me back to the DMV and had me sign up again. If at first you don't succeed try again. The second time I passed and it was a wonderful feeling. There was a sense of freedom and accomplishment.
ReplyDeleteWell done you! It always pays to defy such proclamations. And glad you have found your beloved vehicles over the years - Jae
ReplyDeleteI love automatics but have been plagued with many years of standard which I got used to. Now I "drive" a mobility scooter. Cant go too far. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteGood on you Marja for persisting! It reminds me of my mother's efforts when learning to drive. My father was the one who was teaching her and she says he raised his voice and chastised her for any small mistake she made. She gave up, but when he was at work, she took the car to a neighbourhood soccer field and taught herself to drive. She got her driving license and then one day she took my father for a drive into the City. Apparently he did not say one single word! Great poem!
ReplyDeleteThose driver tests are harder than they used to be here. I am glad that you drive. I do have a convertible that I will drive when the Autumn weather arrives. The convertible is an old Mustang, 1998 model Ford. Here is the list of the cars I've owned, still have the last with 162K miles so far.
ReplyDeleteHere are the cars in my life--listed in order of purchase: [should I blog on this as part of my memoirs?]
My TOY 1950 Studebaker Starlight Coup was posted here last week.
1950 Studebaker Starlight Coup (formerly owned by my High School Principal).
1952 Ford Tudor, I hopped it up very heavily before I sold it. It would outrun and 55 and 56 Chevys.
1956 Ford Sunliner Convertible (new)
1941 Chevy Two-door
1950 (Jimmy Dean) Mercury Two-door Coupe (ditched the '41 and '56 when I went into the Army)
1951 Ford Tudor--a present from Dad while I was still in the Army, it was the folk's family car and had rolled over 100,000 miles.
1960 Rambler Two-door Custom station wagon
1950 Ford Tudor
1962 VW Bug--a work car
1956 Ford Customline Fordor-hardtop
1968 Ford station wagon (new)
1969 Ford Thunderbird***
1971 Honda CB450 motorcycle
1972 Ford Pinto***
1976 Ford Granada Tudor Coupe***
1976 Ford Granada Fordor
1972 Datsun pickup
1976 Chrysler Cordoba (picture link)
1977 Plymouth Volare station wagon
1982 Olds Cutlass Supreme two-door
1975 Datsun pickup
1986 Olds 88 four-door
1988 Olds 88 four-door
1987 Chevy S-10 pickup
1992 Cadillac DeVille
1974 Ford Mustang II Ghia (Mom's car after she died) (still owned)
1999 Cadillac DeVille
1999 Easy-Go Golf Car (new)
1998 Ford Mustang GT Convertible (still owned)
1950 Ford Tudor (sold August, 2015)
2006 Cadillac DTS
2011 Cadillac DTS (still owned)
These are about in the order they were purchased. Most were pretty good cars, I just always get used cars, buying them mostly from individuals, LOLs (little old ladies) preferred
OMG Jim that's quite a collection
DeleteCongratulations on persisting and gaining your driver's license.
ReplyDelete"Slowly, I took the road to success,
ReplyDeleteconquering my dyspraxia mind."
You definitely conquered! Great poem!
I enjoyed your car experience and success in the end. And I Love the Freedom in those final three lines. Spot on.
ReplyDelete