Category Archives: Volvo Series

Ode to a Volvo: 4

International car of mystery

You were an enigma,
Full of surprises,
Like when I replaced the fuel pump and then a month later it failed again but NO
It was the second fuel pump… you had two!
Said the mechanic,
“Who knew?”

You gave me signs.
Two months before you passed on
you sang eeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Just eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
The mechanic was flummoxed.
“It’s an alarm,
An indicator for something, but what?”
Not undone seatbelt, not key in the ignition
Nor the Zen koan “the door is a jar”.
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
I knew
I knew it was the “buy a new car” indicator.

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Ode to a Volvo: 3

 

O Wise One!
Zen Master!

Teaching me patience and humility,
The slow lane to Enlightenment.
You were no voluptuous Buddha,
but sharp, stolid, angular, a slab of steel,
Impassive as I cursed.

Your lessons were many:

Doors won’t lock… Trust Strangers

Back windshield wipers inoperative… Don’t Look Back

No radio reception… Stay in the Here

Odometer stopped… Stay in the Now

Parts Falling Off… Simplify Your Life

Unexplained Noises… Accept What You Cannot Change

Door handle broken… Try Another Door

Passenger door handle broken… Don’t Pick up Hitchhikers

My worldview shaped to your windshield
And the rearview mirror that sank… slowly… down.
To see behind me I had to duck my head
Bowing bowing
bowing all the time like that has got to make you humble.

O Wise One!
Zen Master!

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Ode to a Volvo: 2

Voluminous Volvo!
Accommodating to a fault,
You swallowed up everything –
Couches, tables, Ikea flatpacks,
Hockey bags, camping gear,
Chairs, coolers, firewood,
Garbage and recycling,
Bikes, children, groceries.

Accepting all without question

Almighty Deliverer!

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Ode to a Volvo: 1

O handsome automobile!
Cross-country chariot
Sweat-box

Your AC was an unfounded rumour,
A mirage.
During the heatwave you blew hot air in my face and I had to spend seven hundred dollars to make you stop.

Cross-country trip with the windows rolled down,
So loud we couldn’t hear each other
Your loose bones rattling beneath us.

And yet we loved you.

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