ELEGY WRITTEN IN A TEXAS JUNKYARD

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day,

The weary pickup on the black-top rolls,

The weary driver glances once away,

And drives the pickup straight into a pole..


Now bends the chromium bumper on the front,

And all the air a solemn stillness holds,

Save where the beetle wheels his droning flight,

And tinkling headlights crumble in the cold.


The parking stanchion now is bowed and bent

Unto the lingering sunset does complain

This truck, mis-guided and mis-spent,

Has sadly marred her solitary reign.



Beneath the engine-hood, now creased and bended

The engine beats its fitful, faithful tune

But faith, once broken, is not quickly mended

And new wheels will replace the old truck soon.


For all its loyal service now is ended

And trust to rust will run, however hard

Farewell, first truck she e'er befriended!

We'll meet again, beyond the wrecker's yard.