Red Convertible
Drawing by Willow E. Morse
June 2008

RED JAG

what would you do if
given a RED 12 cylinder JAG
to drive from Atlanta to LA
where you have to give it up
even though it's not yours

you really don't want it
but push a button
doors lock
windows go up
down

all programmed previously
as you drive through Alabama
Louisiana, Texas
houses scattered
along roadside

deteriorating shacks
people live within
RED JAG
you drive on and on
higher and lower

pushing RED JAG
to speeds amused
stopping to take pictures
of RED JAG
beside the road

cotton pickers
in sweat soaked shirts
from sun percolating
on hot dusty fields
you feel so bad

but continue to
Texas where you
join a party with
red-neck long hairs
who bogart two joints

throughout night
booze trickles
down your forehead
dropping on nose
of beautiful girl who kisses you

she climbs with you
into RED JAG
tearing out into darkness
on dirt roads
making doughnuts

back and forth
laughing as windows
go up and down
early sun glows
RED JAG stops

knocks
doggone y'all
thing done died
but
it's under warranty

it's grand
it's a 12 cylinder RED JAG
that can no longer
pass through homeless people
drunken indians

just as you learned
the programmed
window pattern

RED JAG
RED JAG
RED JAG

In Honor of Jill and Joe
Oakland, CA (1975)