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Friday 6 September 2019

THE CAR ENTHUSIAST

He adored her
but their bond was fraying.
They flitted between being lovers and strangers.

He'd bought a vintage Cadillac.
He sang in the garage.
She shouted at him

and a spider dropped from the rafters
as if he, himself, was fair game.
He incensed her. It snowed.

The Cadillac got polished. It shined.
She threw her hairbrush against the wall.
He sat in his car, in pure ecstasy.

"I'll enter her in the Concours d'Elegance" he said,
"I'll clean her engine parts!" They gleamed
from all the loving care and attention.

The engine purred like a contented cat. He was in his element.
She wanted a night out.
He was checking the oil.

They attended a friend's wedding.
As he threw confetti, his eyes never left
his beloved car out there in the street.

The Cadillac won 1st prize in the Concours.
Winter mornings cast long shadows
across all except the garage.

She stayed in bed. She was fed up.
He was fine-tuning and tweaking the points and electrics.
She threw his breakfast in the bin.

And when her home made cakes flopped
and when she failed an important exam
and when their son moved out

he was lying under the car
and tinkering with the exhaust system.
The car looked brand new

and the aroma of oil and polish permeated his clothing.
He stumbled upon her this morning, sobbing in the garage.
She thought she'd lost her keys in there -

at least, that's what she claimed...





33 comments:

  1. HaHa! Goodness! This brought back some memories! :).
    Cadillac..Wow! When l came back to this country in
    1973, after just getting married, couple years before
    my daughter was born, we used to go to a local restaurant,
    most Friday night, and became good friends with owners,
    Herbie and Sue..when we'd eaten, socialised, helped behind
    the bar, they'd let us stay over, save driving home..!
    Well..over the fireplace, was some 8ft long~horns..I loved
    them..cut a long story short, after a couple years they
    decided to move to the Isle of Wight..Before leaving, Herbie
    gave me the long~horns..HeHe! When l got home, my wife asked
    me, what l intended to do with them, well..well..well..I said,
    l was gonna buy a 'pink' Cadillac..and mount the horns on the
    bonnet..well..well..well..the reply came, l'm afraid unprintable! Something like..NO! YOU CAN'T..!!! :(.
    My marriage lasted just 6yrs, l gained custody of my daughter
    in 1980..raised her on my own for the next 14yrs...AND! AND!
    Where are the long~horns now, l hear you all ask..???
    Over my fireplace in the front room..where else..in fact, if
    you wanna buy a pair just now..on line..you'll pay around
    £1,500..AND! NO! I never did get a Cadillac..Had a Roller,
    E~Type, Datsy Sedan, Mercs..But not a Cadillac..shame as l love
    American cars..!
    I passed my test 3 weeks after my 17th birthday, went straight out and bought Ford Zephyr 4 MK3..The passion wagon..Less said the better..! HeHe! Love motor cars...Bruuuuum! :O).
    ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah, another car enthusiast?! πŸ˜‰πŸ˜‰
      I'm married to one of those...only I'm fortunate, he doesn't always put the car first!!
      Many thanks, Willie...😊😊

      Delete
    2. Haha, my husband also loves cars, but I am so lucky, cos he always puts my and our son firstπŸ˜‰ Very well written, you are so good with words and you can always create different moods☺

      Delete
    3. Aww, thank you, Natalia...and it's great to find another "fellow sufferer" lol

      Have a super day ❤❤❤

      Delete
  2. Enjoyed. wonderfully explained, the two points of view. Had me thinking a bit about my own obsessions and relationships. Of course I find it much easier to understand the enthusiast’s world☺

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ha, me too, Anthony...relationships are far more complicated! πŸ˜‰
    Many thanks.😊😊

    Have a super weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  4. How wonderfully romantic and funny and sad.
    He loved the car. She loved him...and the car became the other woman.
    Brings back memories of some of my boyfriends from my teen years :)
    Loved this my dearest friend...you are amazing!!!

    Lots of Love and Hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jan...oh how sweet you are..and how I appreciate your kind words!
      Funny you should mention some of your teenage boyfriends...exactly the same here!! Lol

      I hope you are having a fabulous weekend!

      Sending you much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  5. This is so clever, and so sad. How I wish that all of us (yes me too) put the same care into our relationships as we do our passions...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww, thank you my dear Friend...so much!
      Yes, me too...I often neglect my other half when I'm writing or studying.
      Must make an effort to remedy that...thank you for reminding me!😊😊

      Much love and hugs, always ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  6. This is amazing.
    I always enjoy your poems, you have a wonderful way with words.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh thank you so much, Jan...so happy you enjoyed!😊😊

      Big Hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  7. well you captured her mood really well. And he with his car - wonder if it keeps him warm at night..lol. Love the story ...with your writing I can always "see"it as if I'm there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Knowing him...yes, probably!! Lol
      Oh thank you, Sandy...so much. I really appreciate that 😊😊

      Big Hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

      Delete
  8. this is powerful ,intriguing and really sensitive dear Ygraine !

    i think we all can relate so well as women

    you treated the topic with sheer intensity and so delicately my wonderful talented friend !
    talking about most weird and complicated relationship is not easy relationship which is most special and beautiful at the same time !
    i am inspired and touched :)
    lots of love hugs and blessings to you my dear friend !

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh you are so kind, dearest Baili...thank you so, so much!😊😊
    I really hope you are having a fabulous weekend!!

    Sending you much love and hugs ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh thank you so much...I truly appreciate your wonderful comment!😊😊

    Have a super day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ygraine, I really enjoyed reading that story, you're such a great writer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww...thank you so much, Lon!😊😊

      So good to have you back...you have been really missed
      , my Friend!!πŸ™

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Ygraine, my good friend, I truly missed you as well!

      Delete
  12. Oh dear Ygraine what fun and special story. My dad loved his cars all !! And he had a cadillac and others. And for me and my mom these cars were never important. But for him was different I dont know why. Is a mistery.
    Send you hugs and love .
    Xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess it must be a "man thing" haha.
      Thank you so much, dear Gloria...and I hope all is good with you!
      Much love and hugs ❤❤❤

      Delete
  13. Thank you!😊
    Yes, I will come and visit your blog shortly...

    ReplyDelete
  14. I was imagining this beautiful winter tale. Love the way you describe the whole scenario


    Have a nice day
    Kinza Khushboo
    Blog
    Glamorous without the Guilt
    Bloglovin | Glamorous without the Guilt

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww...thank you...so much!😊😊

      Hugs xxx

      Delete
  15. Ygraine,
    Every rope has both sides.
    You spoke very well in your text.
    Really enjoyed it!
    Kisses!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much...and really happy you enjoyed!😊😊

      Kisses back!!

      Delete
  16. estupendo post ! Espero verte pronto por mi blog ! Feliz día! 🧑🧑🧑

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you so much!😊😊
    And I really love your blog xxx

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a brilliant write! You are amazing Ygraine! Big Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Un bel post.
    Buon fine settimana.

    ReplyDelete

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I really appreciate hearing your opinions...:)