how do i open the hood

there were many years
when cars
were junk.

always breaking down.
the battery needing a charge,

the oil, the water pumps
failing.

leaks all the time. points and plugs
always needing adjustment,

the steering out of whack
after hitting a bump.

i'd crawl under or over them
on a Saturday
making them run
again.

they were awful cars, meant
to last a few years
or so,

always in the garage
or needing a tow.

my father mocked me for buying
Japanese, still
stuck on that war thing,

pearl harbor, and D-day, but

now, i don't even know how
to open the hood of my car

when i take it for an oil
change. i like it that way.

no more fords, no more
Chryslers, no more Chevrolets.