deepundergroundpoetry.com
Pater Automobilias - Lap Two
Smiling chrome grill
octagonal MG badge atop
below a round hole
a crank handle fills
used for a good ‘ole
fashioned start ‘em up
Shiny teardrop headlights
sweeping flared fenders crown
like patient surfers waiting
to ride curling waves down
Tapered, vented hood
stock motor conceals
running boards span
‘tween front and rear wheels
like those where on
tommy gun wielding thugs
In gangster movies stood
When the weather was clear
with top-down, dad would drive
his British chariot to work
so happy, so alive
clearly big blue’s
most stylish engineer
Father owned two English flat caps
he wore while motoring
one of pig skin with ear flaps
the other of traditional tweed
scarfs flying like woolly tails
as if James Herriot
making rounds on Yorkshire Dales
When behind the banjo steering wheel
by scent of old leather enthralled
my mind to enchanted lands would steel
the car was then with wings installed
I was to Caractacus Potts transformed
piloting "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
Hunting for the one every child abhorred
the nefarious, cruel candy man
Image found on the web at https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1950-MG-TD-TD3763.52028/
octagonal MG badge atop
below a round hole
a crank handle fills
used for a good ‘ole
fashioned start ‘em up
Shiny teardrop headlights
sweeping flared fenders crown
like patient surfers waiting
to ride curling waves down
Tapered, vented hood
stock motor conceals
running boards span
‘tween front and rear wheels
like those where on
tommy gun wielding thugs
In gangster movies stood
When the weather was clear
with top-down, dad would drive
his British chariot to work
so happy, so alive
clearly big blue’s
most stylish engineer
Father owned two English flat caps
he wore while motoring
one of pig skin with ear flaps
the other of traditional tweed
scarfs flying like woolly tails
as if James Herriot
making rounds on Yorkshire Dales
When behind the banjo steering wheel
by scent of old leather enthralled
my mind to enchanted lands would steel
the car was then with wings installed
I was to Caractacus Potts transformed
piloting "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
Hunting for the one every child abhorred
the nefarious, cruel candy man
Image found on the web at https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1950-MG-TD-TD3763.52028/
Published 22nd Apr 2021
Author's Note
I have such fond memories of this magical car and the happiness it brought my dad...one who had suffered much grief in his life. I am ever grateful that he had this release.
NaPoWriMo Competition #21
Note: "big blue" is what IBM was nicknamed during the 60's and 70's; James Herriot was a Yorkshire Veterinarian and author who penned one of my favorite series of books, "All Creatures Great and Small"; "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is one of my all time favorite films.
The car pictured in the image is the same year and model as my dads but is not his car. I found that image here https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1950-MG-TD-TD3763.52028/
NaPoWriMo Competition #21
Note: "big blue" is what IBM was nicknamed during the 60's and 70's; James Herriot was a Yorkshire Veterinarian and author who penned one of my favorite series of books, "All Creatures Great and Small"; "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is one of my all time favorite films.
The car pictured in the image is the same year and model as my dads but is not his car. I found that image here https://www.mgexp.com/registry/1950-MG-TD-TD3763.52028/
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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comments 6
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22nd Apr 2021 7:26pm
22nd Apr 2021 9:10pm
Thank you very much, LJ! I enjoyed writing this and I am thrilled that you enjoying the reading.
Anonymous
22nd Apr 2021 10:38pm
Your second installment is as amazing as the first, BB! 👍🏻 I can't tell you how many times I watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a kid and loved that car, too. My parents even took us to watch it at the drive-in....we saw that and Herbie the Love Bug (I'm pretty sure!).... hahaha... One of our neighbors in Ohio had one of these cars and my dad always coveted it, so. Our neighbor let him drive it many times... It makes me think of him a lot.
I loved both this write and your previous, they touched me, right in all the good the memories of my dad and I truly adore that.
Super ink!
Much love and dreams of flying cars...
🌹 xoxo
-B
🐻✨🐇
I loved both this write and your previous, they touched me, right in all the good the memories of my dad and I truly adore that.
Super ink!
Much love and dreams of flying cars...
🌹 xoxo
-B
🐻✨🐇
22nd Apr 2021 11:12pm
I wish zo could remember the first time I saw Chitty. It probably was a drive-in 'cause I don't recall ever going to a theater. We watched it TV several times. I do remember seeing Fantasia and the Aristocats at a drive-in. I loved the English Disney's. Chity, Bednobs and Broomsticks, and Mary Poppins. Chitty was my fav. Thank you for sharing your fond memories of your dad I know they mean a lot to you and are beautiful. I just have a Final Lap to write. 🙏🌹🐻💋🐰
I fell in love with this piece because it reminded me of my dad too! He LOVED classic cars, and purchased an 'Austin Princess' ( and I don't mean the little car that resembles a Gremlin makeover with a Pinto partner! ).
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4a/bd/e3/4abde354c9361eff4cb53020543e9a88.jpg
He purchased it when we lived in England, and it broke his heart to sell it when we returned, but the shipping cost was absolutely ridiculous! And that's the one thing military didn't pay for if you didn't bring one over.
I loved the details interwoven with personal emotion that was palpable.
You are doing phenomenal in NaPo this year, GW. I am sorry that I have not had much time to get over this way to support and tell you that. But, you are!
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4a/bd/e3/4abde354c9361eff4cb53020543e9a88.jpg
He purchased it when we lived in England, and it broke his heart to sell it when we returned, but the shipping cost was absolutely ridiculous! And that's the one thing military didn't pay for if you didn't bring one over.
I loved the details interwoven with personal emotion that was palpable.
You are doing phenomenal in NaPo this year, GW. I am sorry that I have not had much time to get over this way to support and tell you that. But, you are!
23rd Apr 2021 4:21am
