no one trusted Joe

in the 60's,

before

Hondas and Toyotas,

there

was always a rattle

in the Ford,

or Chevy,

some weird sort

of noise

from the engine, or below,

maybe it was

coming from

some where's around

a tire,

or from

a loose bolt holding up

the muffler.

so you turned the radio

up

and closed the windows,

you lit

a cigarette

and sang along to Franki

Vali,

or the Kingston Trio.

maybe tomorrow

you'd take it to the corner

garage,

to have it looked over

by Joe. the local grease

monkey,

who you didn't trust

as far as you

could throw him.