San Fernando Valley’s Last Drive-In

Which is where I spent my childhood
In pink jammies with the feet on    
While we waited for the movie    
As a summer’s dusk approaches
While kids swinging in the sand pit
As my mom unpacks the Coleman
With the ice and Nesbitt sodas
And my dad sets up the speakers
On the inside of the car doors
With the fuzzy blare of previews
Of next science fiction thrillers
While last calls to get your hot dogs
And some bags of buttered popcorn
And last chance to use the bathrooms
Sound the final speaker warnings
As the lights around us flicker
As the dusk turns into evening
And the grownups spreading blankets
On their hoods of station wagons
While the kids all claim the best spots
Just to huddle chewing Milk Duds
And for nudging at each other
Now the teens stop throwing spitballs
With Pink Panther cartoon fade out
As a bright orange moon is rising
Like a 50-50 Bar would
And the acreage of parked cars like
Good Humor on sticks ice cream bars
And the lovers in their Mustang
Close the canvas top to hide them
Hickie-sucking TootsieRoll-Pops
As the screen scrolls up the credits
Mom & Dad check on their offspring
Sisters giggle on the rooftop
Youngest sister Jade in PJ’s
Curled up in the car’s back window
As she hugs her Tony Tiger
While her eyes are slowly closing
As the first scene of the film starts
And the soundtrack static echos
‘Cross the gravel lot of parked cars
As she dreams of Foghorn Leghorn
As the evening turns to twilight.



Copyright©️2018 Jade Pandora. All Rights Reserved.