before dusk

there was time,
when I had time, and tools,
and a better back.
and I was more limber,
there was a time
that I would open the hood
of my car
and begin to fix whatever
it was that needed
fixing.
oil pump.
water pump. shocks.
points and plugs.
filters and tires.
small stuff, but things
that I could do
on a Saturday
under a tree,
in the hot summer shade
with a drink in hand,
as the radio played.
trying to get
the car on the road
before dusk.