My Blue Friend

That shiny, royal blue, ’92 Toyota Tercel

Fresh off the car lot

Gave me many years of freedom.

She and I went into the belly of the USA

With just a map and gas.

Many nights I rested

In her cramped front seats:

My home when I couldn’t go home.

There were rules about comings and goings

At the parents’ place.

My Toyota and I were responsible

For driving the staff

Of the Late-Nite Drive-thru team home after work.

We would crank the Madonna

And cruise the empty streets

At 3:30 in the morning.

My car’s back seat

Was an embarrassing garbage dump

For paper cups and food wrappers.

My trunk was a survival kit:

Shovel, firewood, blankets.

When the repairs on her

Finally got too exorbitant,

I admitted defeat and sold her

As a “Mechanic’s Special”

To a man and his son.

At least I got to say goodbye to her.

“My Blue Friend” – Commentary

            The idea for the poem “My Blue Friend”, came from a request for a poem about a memory. I chose my little blue Toyota Tercel as my memory because I had her for 17 years. She was my first experience of responsibility and freedom. One of the techniques I used is alliteration (example: “92 Toyota Tercel”). The imagery of the garbage in the back seat is representative of the way I was forced to keep my room spotless, I rebelled by keeping a messy car. The Madonna music is rebellious also and represented a need in me to break free of my parent’s controlling tendencies. The poem is free verse so there is no rhyme or reason, also a rebellious thing to do. Driving to places unknown is an adventure. Many people try to “get away from it all” by going to strange and wonderful new lands, as an escape from life. Traveling has been put on hold since Covid arrived. I guess we have to come to terms with ourselves and find escape in our own backyards. There is peace there, and safety. Don’t worry, it’s not forever. You really are your own best company. Find yourself, and come out a fresh, new you. You will surprise yourself with the results.