I drive my van over the lawn, up
the two steps and onto
the porch of her house.
I honk the horn. She opens
the front door. I goose
the gas. As the van rumbles
into the living room,
a comedian shakes
on her television screen.
For a moment she is annoyed,
but then she notices
my new mud flaps.
"Nice," she says. "New?"
"Yep," I say.
I cruise to the kitchen just
jostling the stove. With the push
of a button I lower my window.
She hands me an ice cream sandwich.
My stereo plays thumpa-thumpa-thump.
From the tv comes a laugh track.
At the back door I nudge
the screen with the bumper.
The door slaps behind me.
She waves.
I wink my lights.
Goodbye.
Nice visit.
7/18/84
© Copyright 1984 and 2000 by Joe CottonwoodNext: Big Creek, California (Pop 385)