the rainbow warrior

out of the darkness
of dependence
'neath tinted windows
over black paint

red
yellow
orange
white
magenta
purple
blue

stripes
run up
down
curved and
straight

shouting
"1988!"

i was in first grade
the first day
GMC
rolled the Rainbow Warrior
onto streets

today,
i'm in eleventh

and Jimmy
is more than SUV
He
is my identity
in him
i am free

in control

i decide where i go
when i go
to what station
i tune MY radio

and i know
he can get me there

six cylinders
jumping
gears spin wheels
tires squeal
under folded down
back seats
making space to load
equipment
so i can play shows
and mow lawns i'm paid to mow

he takes care of me
so i take care of Jim

oiling
gassing
adorning
rearview mirror
with rubber chicken

cops will stop us
'cause
different is suspicious

i will wreck him
because i
drive in daydreams

mom and dad
will try to convince me
to paint Jim black
and lose the lines

but i will fight for my
warrior's stripes
and he will ride again
in full glory

in college
his hood will fly high
on highway

someday closer
to two-hundred thousand miles
i will sell him
for a less interesting
Chevy Blazer

Jim will work for the
U.S. Postal Service

eventually
he will be
a first car
again

making a lucky
young lady
unique