The Cockroach
By Susan Mardele
Ceramic Volkswagens by Sona Knox
Oxidized red, ancient paint,
green rear deck lid.
Sound like a tin can
with a rock in it.
Flip the lever to another gallon
and pray to the next gas station.
1960 Volkswagen,
simple, humble car.
Bumper victim to a fender bender,
restored with twists of baling wire.
Rear fenders flap in the road wind,
casualty of another traffic bump.
Gingerly let out the clutch.
Too fast! Will it shudder apart this time?
The shiny new car won’t start?
Cockroach to the rescue!
Shoulders to the door jamb,
push like you mean it.
Four-inch heels striking asphalt,
pencil skirt slits straining at the stitches.
Jump in laughing, flushed.
We will make it to work on time.
Polished, professional, poised,
we breeze in the door.
Cockroach parked at the back,
facing down.