M-o-T TESTED
(First published in “Winged Words” July 1978)We’d been together near a dozen years, she was growing a trifle faint
She’d only held together, it appears, by the strength of her peeling paint.
We were driving homeward when she’d passed her test, and I gently released the clutch
and she gave a kind of rattle, which I guessed meant the end of me dear old Dutch!
She’d passed her test where she had passed before, where there’s such an obliging chap
who only charged a bribe of ten times more than the old girl was worth as scrap.
“And that, you cow” I said “’s about five bob, so I hope that you’re satisfied!”
- She gave a melancholy kind of sob … and my old Dutch she upped and died!
It served me right, she left me all alone, so cruel the words I said
they broke her heart, and with a final moan, well, the old girl she dropped down dead.
I knew she’d had a fatal heart attack, so before Rigor Mortis set
I pushed her into someone’s cul-de-sac. I suppose that she’s down there yet …
Are there any takers for an old dead Ford? If there are, have a word with me.
I know the fact will leave you overawed, but she’s just passed her M-o-T!!
You can tow her off if you’ve a bit of rope. If you think that she’s worth that much.
- For I have q u i e t l y abandoned hope … and abandoned my dear old Dutch!
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